Barcelona offered the chance to sign Real Madrid legend for €20 million

Barcelona are running low on their squad depth this season, with several players missing due to injury. Xavi has not had his best starting lineup fit at any point this season, which as caused a serious lack of chemistry in the team.

Pedri has picked up a few injuries across the season, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen has not played a single game since mid-November. Gavi, too, tore his ACL, and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

However, one position where everything seems relatively solid — fitness wise — is central defence. Ronald Aruajo and Jules Kounde have fully recovered from their injury, while Andreas Christensen seems to be fully fit, too.

With the exception of Inigo Martinez, who is expected back in time for the Spanish Super Cup, Xavi has had most of his defence fit and gunning this season.

Barcelona are evidently not in search of a centre-back, this winter at least, but have been offered the services of a certain Real Madrid legend by Manchester United — Raphael Varane.

The Frenchman has fell out of favour with coach Erik ten Hag, who is ready to let him go as early as this window. United have, therefore, offered him to Barcelona for around €20 million, as per a report relayed by Mundo Deportivo.

Was close to a Madrid return

Before this report came to the fore, rumours had claimed that Real Madrid themselves were interested in signing Varane in the winter due to their injury crisis.

Unhappy with his playing time, the 30-year-old was also ready to return to the Spanish capital, but the move never transpired.

Carlo Ancelotti, in fact, revealed that the club had no intentions of signing a centre-back in the winter despite ACL injuries to both David Alaba and Eder Militao.