Manchester United reportedly face fresh competition from rivals Manchester City for Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane.

The long-serving Madrid defender is widely expected to depart the Bernabeu this summer after more than a decade in the Spanish capital.

Varane is said to have informed Los Blancos that he wants a new challenge, effectively forcing the La Liga giants to cash in as he will be a free agent next year.

United have been linked with the France international for a number of years and were considered one of the favourites, alongside Paris Saint-Germain, to sign the defender.

However, The Athletic claims that Man City also have a formal interest in the 28-year-old, while fellow Premier League side Chelsea are also monitoring his situation.

The same report indicates, though, that United are the best-placed of the English clubs to strike a deal with Varane and Madrid. body check tags ::