While Manchester United have been linked with almost every possible center-back over the past few months, another name has been thrown up in Real Madrid sensation Raphael Varane.
The young Frenchman is having the time of his life at the moment, putting in one solid performance after another.
Varane was the man of the match in the first leg of the Copa Del Rey El Clasico against Barcelona, scoring a goal that kept the tie at 1-1.
In the second leg, he again scored and was a brick in defense, as Real notched a thoroughly deserving victory at the Camp Nou.
Varane only signed for Real Madrid in the summer of 2011, after Zinedine Zidane convinced the youngster to join the Spanish giants.
His contract runs until the summer of 2017, so the chances of any club making a successful move for the 19-year-old are slim at best.
Along with Ferguson, who missed out on the signing of Varane in 2011, Paris Saint Germain are also interested in bringing the Frenchman back to his home country.
Real Madrid are not a selling club and the likelihood of the Spanish team letting go of one of their best assets is near impossible, unless of course a club like PSG make a ridiculously high offer.
Meanwhile, after Ryan Giggs extended his stay at Old Trafford by a further year, Ferguson is expecting one more veteran to agree a new deal to continue his career with United.
Rio Ferdinand's future remains uncertain and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, there have been suggestions that the 34-year-old could leave United or even retire.
The uncertainty surrounding Ferdinand and the injury problems to Nemanja Vidic have been one of the primary reasons behind Ferguson looking for a center-back in the summer.
However, Ferguson hopes Ferdinand also agrees to a new contract before the end of the season.
"That is a strong possibility but it would have to happen before the end of the season," Ferguson said.
"I think he has had a great season. He has managed himself the right way and we have contributed to that in the preparation we give him.
"He doesn't play every game in the same way that Ryan doesn't.
"Two weeks ago, against Real Madrid, he was excellent. We need to get him ready for the big one on Tuesday (for the second leg)."
