Football rumours: Manchester United to move for Raphael Varane; Gareth Bale Spurs stay in doubt

Gareth Bale (left) and Raphael Varane figure in Wednesday’s football rumour mill ( Dylan Martinez/Nick Potts/PA)

What the papers say

Manchester United have moved closer to signing Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane, according to the Manchester Evening News. Real officials are said to be pessimistic about the chances of the 27-year-old accepting a new contract they have offered him and they would rather sell him for a gain than let him go as a free agent next year. United have made signing a centre-back to partner Harry Maguire a priority for the coming summer.