Man United Set to Allow Defender Raphael Varane Leave For Free

According to latest reports, Manchester United have decided to allow Raphael Varane to leave on a free transfer at the end of the current season. New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning a major revamp of the Red Devils squad including a summer clearout and the Frenchman is set to be one of the outgoing players.

Raphael Varane started his senior team career with RC Lens in 2010. His exploits in France got him a huge upgrade in the form of a transfer to Spanish giants Real Madrid. There, he played from 2011 to 2021 winning 3 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League trophies and 4 Club World Cups.

The 30-year-old also won the FIFA World Cup with France in 2018, being one of the key centre-backs in the French squad. He established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the world during his time in Madrid. In 2021, he signed for the Red Devils in a deal worth around £41m.

Raphael Varane, leave Manchester United — Image Obtained via The Independent

According to the Football Insider, Manchester United are set to allow Raphael Varane leave on a free transfer at the end of the season. The report claims that fresh conversations have taken place behind the scenes and the club hierarchy have decided against renewing the defender’s contract.

The Frenchman spent a lot of time on the sidelines due to injuries, reducing his involvement in the ongoing campaign. He could only make 30 appearances this season across all competitions. The centre-back has played a total of 93 games for the club and there is very little possibility that he would hit the 100-game milestone.

Moreover, the defence has been a real problem for manager Erik ten Hag this season. Besides the Frenchman, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez have also been absent for long periods, forcing the boss to play Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans, as well as youngster Willy Kambwala.

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning a big clearout to trim Manchester United’s wage bill with Casemiro and Raphaël Varane likely big-name departures. #MUFC [@talkSPORT] pic.twitter.com/FACTFUgJEv

— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) February 26, 2024

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning a massive revamp at Old Trafford including a major clearout this summer and the 30-year-old centre-back falls on the outgoing list. The squad building operation is being overseen by him, and as such, he is taking a keen interest in the decisions of who stays and who leaves.

The INEOS chief seems to be in no mood to extend the 30-year-old’s deal at Old Trafford which is expiring in June. Raphael Varane will leave as a free agent after the expiration of his contract at Manchester United. The World Cup winner has already started looking for his next possible destination.

The central defence has been a really big issue for the Red Devils this season. With Raphael Varane set to leave this summer, United have already started searching for potential targets to replace the outgoing centre-back and revitalise the defensive department.

Moreover, the Frenchman’s exit will free up a large portion of the wage bill. Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and Juventus’ star centre-back Gleison Bremer are among the top potential targets.

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