Transfer Centre

Manchester United's Raphael Varane 'not considering Saudi Arabia move'

By Carter White | 26 December 2023

Man United's Raphael Varane 'not considering Saudi Arabia move'

Manchester United's Raphael Varane is reportedly not considering a move to the Saudi Pro League in January, despite having fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

Manchester United's Raphael Varane has reportedly decided against a move to the Saudi Pro League ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

The 30-year-old made the switch from Real Madrid to Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 and enjoyed a productive first season on the red side of Manchester.

Varane helped the Red Devils to Champions League qualification in the Premier League and an EFL Cup success, earning Erik ten Hag silverware during his first campaign in Manchester.

However, the 2018 World Cup winner has seen his game time limited in the opening months of 2023-24, starting just five matches for United in the top flight, scoring once.

According to L'Equipe, Varane is not in line for a transfer to the Saudi Pro League in the New Year or the summer, despite his current situation at Old Trafford.

Manchester United's Raphael Varane pictured in November 2023 © Reuters

The report claims that a switch to link up with former Los Blancos teammates Karim Benzema at Al-Ittihad has been mooted, although the centre-back is said to be against such an arrangement.

It is understood that Varane and his representatives do not perceive a move to Saudi Arabia or Qatar as an option at this stage in the player's career.

Openly known is the Frenchman's desire to retire at either Man United, Real Madrid or boyhood club Lens, so a move to Middle East at the age of 30 is unlikely.

It is believed that Varane is still in contact with a number of players and staff at the Bernabeu - with the defender still owning a property in Madrid - however there have been no discussions over a transfer in the New Year.

The 93-time international is supposedly reluctant to move clubs during the middle of a season, although the centre-back concedes that his current lack of minutes cannot continue past this campaign.

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire on December 12, 2023 © Reuters

Varane has started just five Premier League fixtures for Man United this term, with Ten Hag often preferring the likes of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire in his backline.

The Red Devils' sporting director John Murtough is said to have flown to Saudi Arabia to discuss potential transfers, with United looking to offload first-team stars such as Varane and Jadon Sancho in order to raise funds for future spending.

Ten Hag's men are currently eighth in the top-flight standings after their 2-0 loss at West Ham United on Saturday, with United sitting eight points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Varane is a doubt for his side's Boxing Day clash against title-chasing Aston Villa due to illness, meaning that Jonny Evans and youngster Willy Kambwala could start as the centre-back pairing once again.