Liverpool Set To Rival Manchester United For This La Liga Defender: What Will He Add To Klopp’s Side? | OneFootball

In a recent report, Manchester Evening News has stated that Liverpool are set to rival Manchester United for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane this summer. It is believed that the Reds are among a number of clubs holding talks with the French centre-back’s representatives ahead of a potential move for him at the end of this season (via Manchester Evening News).

Varane’s Growing Dominance At The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Varane has enjoyed another solid campaign with Los Blancos so far. The 28-year-old has been responsible for putting in a series of dominant performances as an integral member of Zinedine Zidane’s defence. He has made 40 appearances for the Madrid giants this term, scoring two goals in the process across multiple competitions.

The French defensive ace has given a good account of himself on the defensive end of the field based on his average of 0.7 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, 3.7 clearances and 0.6 shots per game in La Liga this season. Varane has also distributed possession relatively well out from the back after completing 89.6% of his attempted passes in top-flight football (stats via whoscored).

Varane will enter the final year of his Madrid contract at the start of next season, so Zidane would have no option but to cash in on him when the transfer window reopens later this year or else risk losing him as a free agent in 2022.

What Will Varane Add To Jurgen Klopp’s Team?

Varane is one of the best central defenders in European football as he has got the right attitude and winning mindset to succeed at the highest level. He has proven himself to be a class act when defending inside his half as he has got the defensive awareness and hunger to earn possession back for his team.

The French sensation is also not shy of clearing his lines when needed and can pass the ball accurately out from the back. Hence, he will be an excellent fit for Jurgen Klopp’s brand of football at Anfield if Liverpool can get him on board this summer. At 28, the Lille-born defensive ace is currently playing at his prime, so we can expect him to be a decent signing for the Merseyside outfit, especially after such a long and gruelling campaign this term.

Varane will add plenty of quality and defensive stability to Klopp’s defensive department and could potentially form a dominant defensive partnership with Virgil Van Dijk at Merseyside. Therefore, the Reds would be wise to orchestrate a move to bring the French sensation to the northwest of England in this off-season as he has what it takes to help them challenge for the Premier League title once again in the coming years.