Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is surprised by rumours linking Raphael Varane with Bayern Munich.

Marca reports Pep Guardiola's interest in the France international is such that he has already asked Jorge Mendes to put the foundations in place for a possible transfer.

That came after discovering first-hand about Varane's particular situation at the club. Although he feels supported, that support is not transmitted into consistent first-team starts.

However, after victory over Espanyol, Ancelotti declared: "I'm surprised, because I didn't know that Varane's agent was Mendes. I spoke to his agent three days ago, and he wasn't his agent.

"Varane will be a Real Madrid player for a long time."