‘Varane’s shock new Man Utd contract’: The state of play - Fabrizio Romano

Carlo Garganese

• 20 Mar 2024 11:57 GMT
• 3 min read

Fabrizio Romano has rubbished rumours that Raphael Varane could sign a new contract at Manchester United, with the Italian reporting that he still expects the Frenchman to leave the club.

Varane’s contract at Man Utd expires at the end of the season and it had been widely expected that the defender will leave on a free transfer on July 1.

However, reports emerged in the last days of a surprise contract offer from Man Utd to keep him at the club.

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Romano says this is not true.

What did Romano say?

“I’ve had many questions about Raphael Varane,” Romano said on CaughtOffside.

“We’ve had many rumours about him receiving a new contract proposal, but this is not my understanding. From what I’m told, Varane has not received a single contract proposal and there is no negotiation with Man United.

“Let’s see what will happen in the next months, but if there is no change he will leave as a free agent because his contract is expiring.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer news

“I expect Varane to have many options in Europe and in Saudi, for sure. He will take his time over his future, but at current stages it looks unlikely for Varane to stay at Man United.”

The consensus generally remains that Varane is highly likely to leave Man Utd this summer.

The World Cup winner lost his place in the United first team this season and has only been starting when there has been a succession of injuries to other centre backs.

He fell so far down the centre back order earlier in the campaign that Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and even Luke Shaw have all been preferred to him as Harry Maguire’s centre back partner.

The Daily Telegraph has even reported about a “strained relationship” between Varane and manager Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman dropped the centre back.

Varane is permitted now to open contract talks with new clubs over a Bosman Transfer.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, Bayern Munich and former club Real Madrid have been linked with Varane.

Varane joined Man Utd from Real Madrid in 2021 but has not impressed like he did during 10 brilliant years in Spain.