Manchester United have made an opening offer for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.

United boss Jose Mourinho is a big fan of the France international and has used his relationship with Real president Florentino Perez to open talks for the defender.

Don Balon says Mourinho has called Perez directly and made a verbal €40m bid for Varane.

The offer was rejected by Perez, but the door was left open for further negotiations. Should Mourinho return with an improved proposal of €60m a deal could be done.

Perez wants enough raised from Varane's sale to go to market for a direct defensive replacement.