Manchester United will not trigger an extension option in the contract of centre-back Raphael Varane, according to a report, but still hope to see the Frenchman stay beyond this season.
Varane was brought to Old Trafford to much fanfare in the summer of 2021, having won four Champions League titles with Real Madrid and the 2018 World Cup with France.
But the defender has struggled with injuries since moving to Old Trafford, making only 78 appearances across all competitions in two and a half seasons to date. A quest for balance has even seen Erik ten Hag favour 35-year-old Jonny Evans over the Frenchman at times this season.
Varane is one of United’s top earners and the Daily Mail suggests that finances have motivated the decision not to automatically extend his contract on its current terms. Instead, the club remain open to the 30-year-old staying longer-term on reduced wages and plan to engage in such talks during January.
At this point, Varane is also now eligible to discuss his future with overseas teams and potentially sign a pre-contract agreement to move as a free agent in summer should he so wish. Bayern Munich have already been linked with a January approach for Varane.
It is said that United are additionally hoping to renegotiate deals for high earners across the board in a bid to free up resources ahead of a crucial summer transfer window and also stay in line with the Premier League rules on profit and sustainability.
The policy coincides with the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as a new investor in charge of football operations, having added United to his existing sporting portfolio through firm INEOS.
90min understands that United have already taken the decision to trigger a 2025 option in Victor Lindelof’s contract but are yet to come to a conclusion on Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the same boat. Hannibal Mejbri also has an option until 2025, with talks held over a long-term extension.
Anthony Martial is set to be allowed to leave as a free agent when his deal expires at the end of this season, with his 12-month extension option to go unused.
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