Raphael Varane is well past his prime, and the past few years at Manchester United show just that. However, if any defender is still capable of playing at his best when he manages to stay fit and avoid silly injuries, it’s him. The French defender joined Manchester United in the summer of 2021 as one of the first signings of that summer under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who needed a commanding center back at the time.
Varane slotted in easily, forming a great partnership with the error-prone Harry Maguire. Nonetheless, injuries have hampered his Manchester United, and with his contract expiration coming this summer, it’s been reported that the Reds aren’t looking to extend it, with Saudi Arabia and other European clubs circling around the former Real Madrid defender.
Raphael Varane keen to stay at Manchester United
Raphael Varane’s contract at Manchester United expires this summer, and the French defender is still waiting for the club to open negotiations with him. Some reports claim that despite Varane’s willingness to stay at United, the club may not offer him a new contract, as they want to explore younger players with better injury records to replace the former France national team captain in the current squad.
Varane, on the other hand, is willing to reach a compromise and stay at the club. Despite the transfer opportunity to reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi club Al-Nassr, Raphael Varane has been reported to be willing to negotiate to receive lower wages from the club just to remain for another two to three years. United hold all the cards here. The Red Devils have the option to trigger the one-year extension in Varane’s contract but have decided against it for reasons best known to them.
United used a similar approach last summer, when everything appeared to have been sorted out with David De Gea, only for the Spaniard to return from holiday and find out that the club wouldn’t extend his contract. After almost a year since his release, the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper is still without a club, but it’s improbable that Varane would find himself in the same situation.
Transfer interest in Raphael Varane remains high
If United decide against extending Raphael Varane’s contract, one thing’s for certain: he won’t be short of suitors and equally suitable offers with big wage packages. Any Saudi club will definitely meet his wage demands, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr currently in line to snap him up on a free transfer if he’s released by Manchester United this summer.
Reports have also linked him with a return to Ligue 1, where the Frenchman started his career playing for RC Lens in the French league. Inter Milan is another possible destination for Varane, as the Italian club is famous for snapping up quality players on free transfers, even though they might be a little older than the norm. Varane still has several years of playing time left.
Wherever Raphael Varane ends up, he’s going to be a valuable addition with a wealth of European experience. Remember, the Frenchman is a four-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, where he was one of their best defenders at the peak of his career.
