TRANSFER MARKET
Real Madrid target Raphaël Varane rules out move to Saudi Arabia from Manchester United
The French defender has been linked with a return to Los Blancos after losing his place in the team at Old Trafford.
Raphäel Varane’s move from Real Madrid to Manchester United hasn’t gone nearly as well as he would have hoped, with the Frenchman reportedly considering leaving the club having lost his place in the team under Erik Ten Hag.
After moving to Old Trafford in the summer of 2021, the centre-back was initially one of the first names on the United team sheet, helping The Red Devils qualify for the Champions League and win the Carabao Cup last season. However, both Varane and the club’s form has tailed off this term, with a number of injuries also hampering him.
The 30-year-old was named MVP in the recent draw away to Liverpool but had previously been dropped to the bench, with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf and even left-back Luke Shaw all starting ahead of him in central defence.
How much would Varane cost in January?
As a result, there have been suggestions Varane could leave Manchester, with AS recently revealing Real Madrid, who are short of centre-backs, are looking to bring their former player back to Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in January.
The former France international still has a house in Madrid and is a frequent visitor to the Spanish capital, while he could be available for as little as $11 million and $22 million in the winter transfer window as the initial contract he signed with United expires in June, with both sides having to agree to an optional fourth year.
Bayern Munich and Saudi Pro League chase United defender
There is also interest from German giants Bayern Munich and, inevitably, Saudi Arabia, where he could potentially link up with former Madrid teammate and close friend Karim Benzema. Gulf state clubs would be in a position to make the defender the most lucrative contract offer, but French newspaper L’Équipe has reported that a Saudi move “isn’t an option”, with Varane hoping to continue his career in Europe.
Encouragement, then, for Los Blancos, who have lost both Eder Militão and David Alaba to long-term injuries and have only two fit senior central defenders on their roster. Although Varane will be 31 in April, re-signing a proven top-level performer for around $40 million less than they sold him for would be seen as a good piece of business.