Manchester United have reportedly decided not to trigger an option to extend central defender Raphael Varane's contract at Old Trafford until the summer of 2025.
Varane's existing deal with the 20-time English champions is due to expire at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, but the club had the option to trigger an additional 12 months, which would have taken him until June 2025.
According to the Daily Mail, Man United had to make a decision by January 1, and it had been expected that the 30-year-old's deal would be taken until the end of next season.
However, the report claims that the Red Devils have decided against it, meaning that Varane will be able to hold contract talks with foreign clubs from Monday.
Despite the development, it is understood that Man United are still keen to keep the ex-France international and are planning to open talks over a new deal in January.
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Varane is believed to be on £340,000 a week at Old Trafford, but the club want to reduce his salary, as they put plans in place to make funds available for next summer's transfer window.
The centre-back has been linked with a move away from Man United in recent weeks, having lost his starting role in the Red Devils XI earlier this season.
However, the defender has recently been brought back into the side, and it is believed that he is happy at Old Trafford despite reports linking him with an exit.
A number of Saudi Arabian clubs are said to be keen on Varane, while Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also thought to be interested in his signature, with the latter eyeing a potential reunion in January due to David Alaba's long-term knee injury.
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Varane has made 16 appearances for Man United during the 2023-24 campaign, including the full 90 minutes of Saturday's 2-1 loss at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
There will be increased competition for spots in the middle of the defence from next month, though, with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez all set to return.
Jonny Evans has also been a regular for Man United this season due to the team's injury problems at the back, and it is understood that head coach Erik ten Hag wants to keep the experienced centre-back for another season.
As well as Varane and Evans, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Anthony Martial, Hannibal Mejbri and Tom Heaton only have deals at Old Trafford until next June.
Matt Law
