Rumors have emerged that speculated incoming Manchester United head coach Jose Mourinho is set to target Real Madrid center back Raphael Varane this summer as the Portuguese manager wants his former player back in his fold next season.

The 23-year-old Frenchman was under the care of Mourinho for two seasons in La Liga when the Chosen One coached Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013. Varane joined Real in the summer of 2011, during Mourinho's second season with the capital city club.

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Caught Offside reported that Mourinho, who is currently a free agent manager after he was sacked by Chelsea in December of last year, wants his favorite Varane to join the Red Devils as the club prepares a £25m bid for the central defender at the end of the season.

Varane had long been in the crosshairs of United and would have signed the France international in 2011, but senior team officials decided then to acquire "Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers for £16m instead", as per The Mirror, leaving the Frenchman to be snagged by Los Blancos.

Even when they separated ways, Mourinho continued to give high regard to Varane, saying in 2014 while he was Chelsea coach that 6-foot-3 Lille, France native is "the best young defender in the world."

Although he is still considered as one of the best young players right now, Varane has never reached his full potential with the Bernabéu giants because of the presence of his more illustrious teammates Sergio Ramos and Pepe but is set to become the Red Devils' defensive leader if he decides to move to the Old Trafford.

He is currently in his fifth season with Los Vikingos and had appeared in 26 games in the Spanish domestic league this term.

Mourinho is tipped to replace Louis van Gaal as United manager this summer after the club's depressing season with the Dutchman. If the rumors are true, then there is a high possibility that Varane will be moving to England before the new season begins in August.

TagsFootball News & Rumors, Football News & Rumors 2016, Jose Mourinho, Raphael Varane, Manchester United, real madrid