HITC Football knows that Raphael Varane, a defender for Manchester United, is thinking about his future and that clubs in Saudi Arabia and Europe are in talks with his camp.

For manager Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, the 30-year-old has only recently returned from the cold in December. However, because his contract expires in June, Varane is thinking about his long-term future at Manchester United. Despite this, the club has the option to give him a one-year contract extension.

According to sources close to Manchester United, one possibility the team is considering is Varane staying past his current contract. HITC Football is also aware that the 93-cap France enforcer may decide to sign a new contract, albeit one with less favourable terms.

Rafael Varane, a defender for Manchester United, plays against Luton Town in the Premier League.
Ash Donelon/Manchester United photo courtesy of Getty Images
Varane mulls his future at Manchester United as teams look to sign him on a free transfer.

However, if Varane departs Manchester United as a free agent, teams in Saudi Arabia and Europe are setting themselves up to pursue a free transfer. According to HITC Football, discussions regarding a possible transfer between Varane’s camp and the Saudi Pro League have already taken place.

Up to three of the four Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF)-owned teams, Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal, are reportedly eager to sign the centre back, according to sources. Pro League teams will now be allowed to register ten international players instead of only eight for the upcoming season.

The Pro League is looking to sign more big-name players, and Varane is one of their targets due to the increase in the number of international players permitted per club. However, HITC Football is aware that European teams may be interested in signing him, particularly if Varane decides to leave Manchester United on a free transfer.

Teams in France, Italy, and Saudi Arabia are interested in Varane.

Raphael Varane, a defender for Manchester United, playing against Liverpool in the Premier League
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images photo
Serie A teams are particularly interested in signing Varane in a Bosman trade; Inter Milan is one team that has already expressed interest. Of his 16 Premier League games this season, the four-time Real Madrid Champions League winner has started eleven of them.

However, sources told HITC Football that if Varane decides he wants to return to his home country of France, teams like AS Monaco, Marseille, and LOSC Lille—his hometown team—are interested. But in order to sign with either Ligue 1 squad, Varane would need to take a substantial wage reduction.

Since joining Real Madrid in 2011 and leaving academy team RC Lens, Varane has not participated in any games in France. Varane would eventually be sold by Los Blancos to Manchester United in 2021. But he dropped out of Ten Hag’s plans early in the season and then made a comeback to their starting lineup on the road against Liverpool.

Former Manchester United defender David May was equally pleased by Varane’s performance at Anfield in December, describing him as “absolutely outstanding.” Since then, Ten Hag has maintained the Frenchman’s prominence. Varane, though, is thinking about his future as a move approaches his camp.