4) Raphael Varane
21 years old / 6ft 3in
France/Real Madrid
I’ve sung my praises for this guy already. At 21, he was played in the first team of Real Madrid alongside Sergio Ramos (Team Of The Year Candidate) under Jose Mourinho. Since Jose left Madrid , Varane has struggled to break into the first team, playing only 47 times in all competitions since his arrival in 2011. Currently Pepe and Sergio Ramos hold the fort at Madrid, with Pepe gaining a 2 year extension last month. In September last year, Varane signed a crazy 6 year deal that will keep him in Madrid until he is 27. He has now spoken out about wanting to leave Real Madrid due to his playing time, and it doesn’t seem to be changing due to Pepe’s extension. Possibly his 6 year deal is a way to bump up his price again like Benzema? For £20-25million, this world class star will be available, and i reckon Arsene should go in with his blank checkbook and offer that price. You honestly do not get much better than Varane for his age, and he will become better with age (Like most defenders do) and could play for years if a club splashes the cash. I would rather buy a World class talent for £20million than spend £10/15million on a aging centreback that will retire the following year.