Varane could leave Man Utd for FREE

Suraj Radia

• 13 Dec 2023 18:50 GMT
• 3 min read

Raphael Varane could become a free agent next summer after it was revealed that his contract at Manchester United is set to expire a year earlier than previously anticipated.

Varane’s future has been thrust into doubt this season after falling down the pecking order for Erik ten Hag’s side, having made just four Premier League starts so far this campaign.

The 30-year-old has struggled with injury and poor form, prompting speculation that he could be sold in January, with clubs in the Saudi Pro League said to be interested.

And The Athletic have revealed that Varane’s deal at Old Trafford will expire next summer despite United stating the Frenchman ‘had signed until 2025’ when he joined from Real Madrid in 2021.

United have an option to extend his contract for a further 12 months but a decision will have to be made on Varane’s future imminently as the defender can sign a pre-contract deal with foreign clubs from January, allowing him to leave on a free in the summer.

Varane could be allowed to depart on a free if United wished to save a year of his salary, which reportedly equates to around £13 million, but the club would rather receive a transfer fee for a player who still boasts a strong pedigree in world football.

Varane could be sold in January after decline in gametime

Varane began the season as part of Ten Hag’s first choice centre-back pairing but he has only made three starts in all competitions since the beginning of October.

The resurgence of confidence and form for Harry Maguire has thurst the England international back into first-team contention, while the likes of Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans have also been preferred to Varane in recent weeks.

Varane did start his first game in a month against Bayern Munich amid hopes that he will be given more opportunities in the coming matches but United could still look to sell him in January in order to make signings elsewhere.

United often insert options into their player’s contracts in order to protect their sale value and Varane is likely to have his deal extended for that reason but the ex-Real star may still be moved on in 2024 due to him being one of the highest earners at the club.