Real Madrid are reportedly considering offering Raphael Varane to Liverpool as part of a deal to take Sadio Mane in the opposite direction.
Varane is understood to be weighing up his future in the Spanish capital and could push for an exit at the end of the season.
The World Cup winner is thought to favour a move to Manchester United, who are known to be in the market for a new central defender and have been heavily linked with Varane in the past.
However, The Guardian claims that Madrid might instead offer Varane to Liverpool in an attempt to aid negotiations for Mane.
The European champions have reportedly rekindled their interest in the Senegal international following the return of Zinedine Zidane as manager, viewing the Liverpool attacker as a more affordable option than Eden Hazard or Christian Eriksen.
Varane joined Madrid in 2011, going on to make more than 250 appearances for the club across all competitions.
Barney Corkhill
