To lower the cost of wages, New Man United’s owners wish to sell a £70 million man
As Raphael Varane’s current contract draws to an end, 90min knows that he may be given the opportunity to remain at Manchester United on a reduced basis.
Due to worries about Varane’s current contract’s expense, the Red Devils have decided against activating their 12-month extension clause. Varane’s current deal is set to expire this summer.
United wants to talk to Varane about a whole new contract that, if approved, would see the French defender earn less money, just like they tried with goalie David de Gea last season.
Given that Varane has stated his desire to finish his career at one of the three teams he has played for throughout his remarkable career, sources close to 90min have revealed that he may take this option into consideration. Before establishing himself as one of the greatest defenders of his generation with Real Madrid, Varane was a teenage sensation at Lens.
With manager Carlo Ancelotti having previously declared that Madrid will not be signing a new center-back this month, the team is not currently contemplating a bid for Varane.
Rafael Varane
Neal Simpson/Allstar/GettyImages / Varane / Saudi Arabia might make a move.
Varane is keen to stay away from new teams, but according to 90min, Saudi Arabian officials are willing to extend an offer to the 30-year-old this summer and are confident they can persuade him to accept.
Varane hasn’t indicated as of yet that he would consider an offer from Saudi Arabia, but the Public Investment Fund—which owns four of the best teams in the nation—thinks they can attract the attention of any player.
During the press conference on Thursday, United’s manager Erik ten Hag confirmed that the contracts of Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Hannibal Mejbri have been activated. He also mentioned that negotiations are still ongoing with Varane and Anthony Martial, the striker whose contract also expires this summer.
United is now focusing on outgoings and does not anticipate a busy January transfer window, though if enough money is raised, a new forward may be signed. The current Saudi champions Al Ittihad are one team looking to get Varane, and Al Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, is another team to keep an eye on. But Varane would have to be persuaded first.
