Liverpool remain very attentive to the future of Raphael Varane amid growing talk he will be sold by Real Madrid for a reduced fee this summer.
The Reds have suffered a nightmare with injuries at the back this season, with all three senior central defenders out.
What’s more, chief stand-ins Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have encountered problems; captain Henderson will only return in April after undergoing surgery on a groin issue.
As such, January addition Ozan Kabak has proved crucial, while fellow signing Ben Davies has yet to play. However, there is reportedly a belief among Liverpool chiefs over the need for another big summer signing.
Reports at the weekend claimed Liverpool were watching the situation with Varane. The France defender has just 15 months left on his contract at the Bernabeu and talks over a new deal have yet to see an agreement reached.
Varane joined Real from Lens back in 2011. However, AS claims the defender will be sold this summer if he does not sign an extension.
They state that Varane will not be short of admirers with Manchester United and PSG both keen. However, Mundo Deportivo cites Liverpool as being ‘most attentive’. Furthermore, they claim the Reds are the ‘perfect match’ for the World Cup winner.
In addition, another outlet, OKDiario, claims Varane could be available for just €50m this summer. They state Real had hoped to collect around €70m for the 27-year-old. However, with just 12 months left on his deal – coupled with the cripping global economic downturn – a fee of €50m seems more realistic.
Real, it’s stated, are wary of a repeat situation with Sergio Ramos this summer. The veteran defender is available as a free agent after rejecting Real’s offer of a new deal on slightly reduced terms.
For his part, Varane has spoken little about his future at the Bernabeu. He has won every top honour in the game and also has 71 caps for his country.
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Diogo Jota to return against Chelsea
Klopp, meanwhile, is confident of having Diogo Jota available for Thursday’s match against Chelsea.
The Portuguese forward returned to training last week following over two months out with a knee injury.
But despite staking a claim to play against Sheffield United, he missed out on the squad again due to illness.
As such, he sat out the match alongside Alisson Becker – who is mourning the loss of his father – and Fabinho, who is still recovering from injury.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Klopp opened up on the trio’s chances of facing Chelsea.
“Alisson and Fabinho, I am pretty sure [they can play],” the manager told reporters (via the Daily Mirror).
“With Diogo, he was with us last night in the hotel, but he got sick overnight and we had to send him home.
“So it will depend how quickly he recovers, obviously.
“He wasn’t in the squad, but he’s trained with the team before [last week] and looked really good, like I said before.”
READ MORE: Klopp details private talks key to Liverpool star’s huge improvement
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James Marshment
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