“You can pack your bags and move to wherever you please by January. The door is open for you”- Man United Boss Erik Ten Hag has told his £34M World Cup star to leave the club because he’s not longer in the club’s plan anymore- Bids already received for the player
“You can pack your bags and move to wherever you please by January. The door is open for you”- Man United Boss Erik Ten Hag has told his £34M World Cup star to leave the club because he’s not longer in the club’s plan anymore- Bids already received for the player
Coach opens door for £34m Man United star to join his club
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane would be ‘welcomed with open arms’ back at RC Lens as the World Cup winner faces a shock departure from Manchester United.
If the writing appeared to be on the wall for Raphael Varane when he was left out of the Manchester derby in favour of a 35-year-old Jonny Evans, then the speed and the extent of his fall from grace at Old Trafford has still taken many observers by surprise.
Varane himself, according to The Sun, has been left ‘stunned’ by how his Red Devils career has unravelled. The Real Madrid legend had planned to see out the remainder of his career in Manchester, but now finds himself facing a seemingly inevitable departure.
Raphael Varane facing Manchester United exit
There is interest from Italy and Saudi Arabia. Germany too, albeit Bayern Munich’s hopes of a potential £25 million deal may be impeded by the size of Varane’s Manchester United wages.
Either way, the Frenchman’s former club will be watching the situation with interest, even if a potential return to Lens feels distintly unlikely.
“If Varane wants to return, we will welcome him with open arms,” Lens coach Franck Haise smiles, via Calciomercato.
“However, with the contract, it’s another thing. I read that it would also be complicated for Bayern Munich to pay his salary. And if it (difficult) for them…
“But maybe he wants to come back. I don’t know. Who knows? However, it is not a current debate to be addressed now.”
Is a return to France on the cards?
Varane has not started a single Premier League game since September’s home defeat to Crystal Palace.
And while he remains arguably the best pure ‘defender’ in Erik Ten Hag’s roster, his age, his wages, his dreadful injury record and his lack of poise with the ball at his feet are four very good reasons why Manchester United should consider cashing in, especially if Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo can be snapped up as his replacement.