Varane set for Real

Varane: Young defender on his way to Madrid

Lens have announced that their defensive starlet Raphael Varane is to join Real Madrid.

Both Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain had also lodged bids for the exciting 18-year-old.

But having looked around Madrid earlier this week, Varane looks to be on his way to the Spanish capital.

Zinedine Zidane, who acts as special advisor to Real president Florentino Perez, is believed to have played a part in persuading Varane to sign for the club.

Real dream

"Varane is a phenomenon and he will play under the guidance of Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid," confirmed Lens supermo Gervais Martel.

"Real have been chasing him for the month and a half, last week he went to Madrid and was shown around by Zidane and Mourinho! How do you expect an 18-year to refuse that?"

Martel insists that they did not sell just for the money, adding: " It wasn't a question of money for us.

"Lens would have got more money if he'd gone to England, but I have to think about the player's career. With all the competitions Real will be playing I'm sure he'll find some playing time."