Coach admits he is keen on spectacular Varane transfer after Man Utd exit

Tom Weber

• Updated: 18 May 2024 15:27 BST
• 3 min read

RC Lens boss Franck Haise has admitted that a return of Raphael Varane would make him 'the happiest coach.'

The French defender has officially announced that he will depart Man Utd this summer upon the expiration of his contract. Initially announced as being tied down until 2025 when he signed, it was surprisingly revealed earlier this year that Varane's guaranteed deal only actually runs until this summer.

Given the 31-year-old's fitness issues, Man Utd were unwilling to trigger their one-year extension in his contract and ultimately decided against offering him a new deal on reduced terms. The World Cup winner's future thus lies away from Old Trafford, with Saudi clubs keen, as they had been last summer.

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However, Varane previously said that he would not play for a new club, instead insisting that he would end his career at either RC Lens, Real Madrid or Man Utd. This, then, recently gave rise to links to Lens in the French press, links that have now been addressed by manager Franck Haise.

Haise keen on Varane

Haise admitted that the financial side of a potential deal could prove an issue but that the arrival of Varane would make him 'the happiest coach.' "Obviously Raphael Varane can interest me, by his qualities as a player, by his qualities as a leader, by his human qualities, by everything he represents and by everything he is still capable of giving."

"Certainly, the financial aspects don't just depend on me, but if there was a possibility [to sign him] I would be the happiest coach." This is similar to what he said last November when Varane was also being associated with his ex-club amid speculation over a rift between the defender and Erik ten Hag.

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“If Raphael wants to come back he is welcomed with open arms every time,” he said last year. "With his contract, it's something else. I read that it was complicated for Bayern Munich to pay his salary. So if it's complicated for Bayern...But maybe he wants to come back, I don't know."