Lens chief Gervais Martel has spoken of Raphael Varane's sale to Real Madrid.

Varane left Lens for Real back in 2011.

Martel recalled to La Voix du Nord: "He's fabulous, you have to realize that he's a part of us that went over there (to Real Madrid). We only keep good memories.

"I never thought he would return to Lens, with the Blues, with the armband, but that he would make a great career, or of course, without worry.

"He chose Real Madrid, it is not by chance. The specialists said that his departure was bull****, and I said to myself: 'But what do they say ... '' When he left, he said to me: 'I'll do as best as possible', I concentrate on that.

"But when he met Mourinho and Zidane, well that says it all, I did not even try to make a higher bid."