The representatives of Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane have told the La Liga club that the Frenchman wants to leave the Bernabeu for a “fresh challenge”, according to The Athletic.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are all reportedly keeping tabs on the 28-year-old, and it now seems that they are all in with a very good chance of securing the centre-back’s signature this summer.

United are still believed to be the favourites to sign Varane but no team has made a formal offer for the French World Cup winner at this stage. Real are said to be looking for a fee between £40m and £45m to sell the player, with his contract running down into its final year.

Whether Chelsea see signing a centre-half as a priority, though, it is not known. The Blues are currently working on recruiting a striker, with Erling Haaland the number one target. They are also said to be keen on snapping up Inter Milan’s Achraf Hakimi.