‘Already holding talks’: United stalwart mulling over his future while club consider contract extension

Raphael Varane is mulling over his future options ahead of his contract expiry with Manchester United in June.

As it stands, the Frenchman will become a free agent at the end of the term after the club opted against activating his one-year extension, however, it was believed at the time that their decision was down to Varane’s eye-watering £340,000-a-week wages.

An element of United’s business that Sir Jim Ratcliffe will want to put his foot down on is the outrageous salary list, with several players earning far more than their actual value just to keep them at Old Trafford.

Varane will be 31 years old by the time his terms expire and has endured a somewhat injury-ridden United career since making the switch from Real Madrid in 2021, although you can’t deny his quality and impact in the starting 11 when fully fit and available. For example, he has the highest aerial duel win rate in the Premier League this season (90 per cent).

Highest aerial duel win rate in the Premier League this season:

🥇 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐞 – 𝟗𝟎%

🥈 Virgil Van Dijk – 83%

🥉 Kristoffer Ajer – 78%

Rolls Royce Varane 👊 pic.twitter.com/8lphXsI8v8

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 18, 2024

Clubs establish interest in Varane

HITC reports that numerous clubs in Europe and the Saudi Pro League are circling the four-time Champions League winner for a potential free transfer this summer, with Saudi sides ‘already holding talks with Varane’s camp’. 

Meanwhile, United aren’t resigned to losing their stalwart centre-back and could open talks over a new deal on reduced wages in the coming months.