The future of Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has been called into question amid suggestions he is looking for a new challenge this summer.
The French star has won four Champions League titles in the Spanish capital and since joining from Lens as a teenager has grown into one of the world's finest centre-halves.
But reports in France have claimed that the World Cup winner is considering calling time on his career at the Bernabeu.
Varane, who would almost certainly set a new world record figure for a defender, has subsequently been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Juventus .
Yet the 25-year-old stated while on international duty this week that suggestions he is unhappy in the Spanish capital are incorrect.
Liverpool's stance on Sadio Mane transfer amid Real Madrid interest
“To say that I am not happy at Real Madrid is not true,” he told the French press after helping his country to a 4-1 victory over Moldova.
“I’m at Real Madrid - the biggest club in the world. I’m constantly in a state of challenging myself because the requirement here is that of the highest level.
“I’m focused on my career. We had a tough time in the middle of the season where we had to fight.
"I’ve given my all in this shirt and I can be proud of that.
“I cannot control everything that’s said [in the media]. Many things aren’t right but I can’t say I’m unhappy in Madrid."
That has led to suggestions that Varane, who has a contract until 2022, could be merely looking for a new, improved contract; a tactic which has previously been used with great success by captain Sergio Ramos.
But according to L'Equipe, the Spanish giants have no plans to offer Varane improved terms.
As such, it will be interesting to see what next for Los Blancos, particularly with Zidane prioritising an overhaul of an ageing side, and with him counting on Varane as one of the side's mainstays.
