Former Manchester United and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho came close to signing Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane while he was the Red Devils boss, it has been revealed.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, Jose Mourinho wanted to sign Raphael Varane at Manchester United in the summer of 2016 shortly after he was appointed as the club’s manager.
His bid to sign Varane was thwarted by Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane who managed to convince the French defender to stay at the Estadio Santiago Bernebeu.
After missing out on the French World Cup winner, Jose Mourinho turned to Ivorian international star Eric Bailly who joined the Red Devils in a £30m deal from Spanish La Liga club Villarreal.
Eric Bailly was the first signing of the Jose Mourinho era at Manchester United.
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Mourinho and Manchester United signed another centre back one year later.
Swedish national team defender Victor Lindelof signed for Manchester United from Portuguese champions Benfica in the summer of 2017.
Jose Mourinho was at Manchester United for two-and-a-half years before his dismissal in December last year.
The Portuguese tactician was sacked for poor results as well as for poor relationship with his players.
He has been without a managerial job since his dismissal at Manchester United.
