Manchester United face a battle from Real Madrid to sign Lens defender Raphael Varane.
The 18 year-old is the subject of a €10.5 million offer from United, which was lodged this week.
According to sources in France, Madrid have given Varane assurances he would feature heavily in Jose Mourinho's plans for the new season.
The talented Frenchman says he does not want to move to a club to sit on the bench but Madrid say they are willing to put their faith in him - and a loan back to Lens has also been offered in a bid to sweeten the deal.
