Liverpool would be forced to concede defeat in their pursuit of Kylian Mbappe if Manchester United sign Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, according to a report.
The Blancos centre-back has entered the final 18 months of his deal at the Bernabeu and is reportedly a target for the Red Devils, who are expected to bolster their defensive ranks this summer.
If Varane opts against extending his stay in the Spanish capital, Real are expected to offload him this summer in order to recoup a fee, and the club have supposedly slapped a £61m price tag on the defender's head.
Should United secure Varane's signature and fork out a sizeable sum of money, the Daily Star reports that Real Madrid would be better financially placed than Liverpool to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Mbappe.
Like his compatriot Varane, 22-year-old Mbappe will also be out of contract in 2022, with Liverpool and Real Madrid the two sides most heavily linked with a swoop for the forward, although PSG chief Leonardo has affirmed that a decision on his future will be made soon.
Varane, who is also rumoured to be a target for Liverpool, is supposedly more likely to leave Real Madrid than soon-to-be free agent Sergio Ramos this summer.
Ben Knapton
