Raphael Varane to Manchester United: Real Madrid defender snubs Jose Mourinho’s offer to double his wages at Old Trafford

RAPHAEL VARANE snubbed a move to Manchester United… even though Jose Mourinho offered to DOUBLE his wages.

The Portuguese boss signed the French defender for Real Madrid and was desperate to bring him to Old Trafford this summer.

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And, according to Spanish radio station COPE, Mourinho personally called Varane, 23, to try to convince him to make the move to Manchester.

It is claimed the new Red Devils manager was willing to offer the star a whopping £165,000-a-week.

But Varane – who Mourinho has previously labelled the best defender in the world – turned down the mega offer, opting to fight for his first-team spot in the Spanish capital.

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The former Lens ace has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu in recent seasons after failing dislodge Sergio Ramos and Pepe in defence.

However, it is believed Varane was convinced to stay after seeking assurances from boss Zinedine Zidane.

Mourinho instead splashed £30million on Eric Bailly from Madrid’s La Liga rivals Villarreal.

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But he is believed to still be in the market for another defender, with Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo likely to leave this transfer window.

SunSport revealed this week that United are set to launch a £12million bid for Southampton’s Portuguese Euro 2016 winner Jose Fonte.