Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has told teammates he wants to leave the Bernabeu, according to reports in Spain.
French newspaper L'Equipe reported earlier this week that the 25-year-old had grown tired with life in Madrid and was eager to find a new challenge.
And according to Madrid-base daily Marca, that news did not come as a surprise to his club-mates, who had already been informed of his desire to leave the Spanish capital.
Varane joined Real as an 18-year-old in 2011 and has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell in the Spanish capital - winning La Liga twice and the Champions League four times.
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Marca state that the World Cup winner has his "heart set" on playing for a different club next season in a bid to freshen up his career.
Varane has reportedly told those closest to him in the Real changing room how he feels and has since intimated to the rest that he needs space in order to make a decision about his future that is best for him.
One of those who has been made aware of the 25-year-old's intention is returning coach Zinedine Zidane, who is said to believe his defender's mind is made up.
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Zidane is a big admirer of Varane and made him a central component of the Real team that won three Champions League titles in a row between 2016 and 2018.
Their relationship is a strong one so it seems telling that the coach feels there is little he can do about the situation.
Varane rejected a move to Manchester United when he signed for Real eight years ago and the Old Trafford club remain a potential destination for the talented centre-back.
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He has linked up with the France squad for their Euro 2020 qualifiers against Moldova and Iceland, and he was tight-lipped about the speculation.
"I do not want to talk about my future," Varane told French newspaper Le Parisien.
"I am not one to discuss my future publicly."
