Saudi leaders are confident Raphael Varane will become a Pro League player in 2024, according to a report.
The Manchester United defender’s future remains uncertain. His fitness issues saw him lose his starting place in Erik ten Hag’s team for several weeks and it was revealed that his contract expires this summer rather than 2025, although the Red Devils have an option to trigger a one-year extension.
Saudi Arabia for Varane
The latest rumors about Varane’s future claim that Man Utd are set to begin negotiations with the Frenchman over a new lease, albeit on a reduced salary. The 2018 World Cup winner’s performances do not justify the hefty salary he is currently receiving. However, with United yet to trigger his extension or agree new terms, Varane is technically in a position to negotiate a summer transfer with other clubs. While it seems unlikely – as things stand – that the veteran defender will make a decision in the coming days and weeks, some believe he will be on the move in 2024.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, “Saudi negotiators still think it is a very concrete possibility”, even if ” Varane’s relatives downplayed the possibility of a transfer to Saudi Arabia in 2024. Recruitment managers at Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr are confident of being able to recruit the Frenchman this year. Reigning champions Al-Ittihad, who are having a disappointing campaign due to controversy surrounding coaching and star recruit Karim Benzema, were already linked with a move for Varane last summer, but the Frenchman was not keen. he intends to travel to the Middle East at this point.
A January transfer is not an option as most Saudi clubs have filled their foreign quotas and exhausted their budgets during the summer period, which saw players like Neymar, N’Golo Kante, Sadio Mane and Fabinho join the Pro League.
