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

The Manchester Evening News says United have bid £50m for Varane, but the Spanish giants will demand £80million.

Whilst it is little surprise that the first offer has been rejected by the Spanish capital club, there is an expectation at United that Madrid will lower their valuation in negotiations.

Varane is out of contract at Madrid next summer and the Spanish giants will be keen to cash-in on the defensive star this summer rather than risk losing him as a free agent next year.

The 28-year-old is increasingly unlikely to renew his contract at Los Blancos as he wants to double his annual salary of €12million (£10million), but the club are hopeful of making financial cutbacks.

Varane - a boyhood fan of United, when Rio Ferdinand was his icon - almost moved to Old Trafford from Lens in 2011 but Madrid's late approach ensured the Frenchman instead went to Spain.