Manchester United will sell Raphael Varane to the highest bidder next summer to get him off the wage bill.
And news the World Cup winner will be available will put a host of Saudi Arabian clubs on re-alert. Erik ten Hag wants to sign a new centre back ahead of next season - and is willing to let Varane leave Old Trafford.
United bosses have growing concerns about the Frenchman's history of injury problems. Club officials are also aware Varane, who will turn 31 in April, is the highest-paid star at United on £340,000-a-week and would save more than £30m in wages if an acceptable bid is made.
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It's understood Varane has become disillusioned with his time in Manchester. He recently returned from a spell on the sidelines, but has been unable to get back into the team despite United's struggles. To make matters worse he is playing second fiddle to Harry Maguire, who spent months as an outcast after Ten Hag refused to pick him.
United signed Varane from Real Madrid for £41m in 2021 and handed him a four year deal. He helped them win the Carabao Cup last season and secure Champions League football. But he's been hampered by injuries this season and a dip in form, leaving Ten Hag questioning if Varane remains a viable option moving forward.
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Varane's storied career means he will not be short of offers when next summer's transfer window comes around. And the Saudi Pro-League's obsession with luring the biggest Premier League names to the Middle East is expected to see Varane offered a mega-bucks deal to go there.
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TNT SportsTen Hag, meanwhile, has identified Nice star Jean-Clair Todibo and Portugal international Gonaclo Inacio as potential replacements for Varane. The Dutchman is expected to sit down with incoming owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to discuss his transfer budget once Ratcliffe's deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in the club has been confirmed.
