Raphael Varane Real Madrid
At 19-years-old, Frenchman Raphael Varane is the youngest defender on Real Madrid's roster. Reuters

Two days removed from rumors tying Manchester City to Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, the Citizens are reportedly linked to Madrid youngster Raphael Varane.

The 19-year-old Frenchman’s recent play for the Bernabeu has made him a target for Premier League clubs, according to The Express. Varane’s current market value is around £13 million, but Madrid could hesitate to send their youngest, most promising defender away. A pricey transfer fee is not out of the realm of possibility for Man City, who have spent big money before.

A pesky defender, Varane has made 19 appearances in all competitions this season, and has started four of Madrid’s last five matches, recording the equalizing goal last week in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona .

Back in the fall, Manchester United were also linked to Varane, as well as Los Blanco defenders Raul Albiol and Sergio Ramos.

Manager Jose Mourinho admitted the La Liga title is out of reach with the Catalans holding a 16-point lead, and instead wants his club to focus on tournaments like the Copa del Rey. Moving Varane could hurt those chances, and Mourinho might be more keen to move Albiol or Ramos, who he reportedly clashed with several times this season.

Varane joined Madrid in 2011 from Ligue 2’s Lens, where he made 23 appearances and netted two goals. He reportedly signed a six-year deal with the Bernabeu.

The Citizens have eyed Ronaldo, and according to Metro, will try to use the £19 million fee they received from AC Milan for Mario Balotelli, to put together an offer for the Portuguese star or Atletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao.