- The 30-year-old Varane was far from a confident starter for Erik ten Hag’s team
- Reports indicate that Al-Nassr could offer him an escape route in the summer
- IAN LADYMAN picks his top five centre-backs of all time in the Premier League – It all starts podcast
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has reportedly been offered a £50million-a-year reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.
The 30-year-old Frenchman was far from a confident starter in Erik ten Hag’s side during a turbulent third season at Old Trafford.
United have rejected the option to extend Varane’s contract for a further 12 months and he is free to talk to other clubs ahead of a summer move.
The 2018 World Cup winner is among United’s highest earners with the £340,000-a-week deal he agreed when signing for Real Madrid in 2021.
According to the Daily star, Al-Nassr are prepared to offer Varane a lucrative escape route from United this summer.
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is reportedly interested by Al-Nassr
A move there would reunite Varane with ex-Real Madrid and United teammate Ronaldo
Erik ten Hag has given Varane fewer opportunities at Manchester United this season
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A move there would reunite him with former Real Madrid and United teammate Ronaldo.
It remains to be seen whether Varane will be tempted by a move to the Saudi Pro League, but the financial rewards on offer would surpass anything in his career to date.
After starting in the FA Cup fourth round win at Newport County and the midweek Premier League thriller at Wolves, Varane was dropped in favor of Harry Maguire after Sunday’s 3-0 win over West Ham.
But he was called up for the final 20 minutes after Argentine Lisandro Martinez – with whom he forged a solid defensive partnership last season – left with a knee ligament injury that will sideline him for at least eight weeks.
This should give Varane more starting opportunities alongside Maguire or Victor Lindelof as United look to challenge for Champions League qualification and win the FA Cup.
A statement from United’s club said on Monday: ‘Lisandro Martinez has suffered an injury to the medial collateral ligament in his knee and is expected to be out of action for at least eight weeks.
Ronaldo celebrates scoring a goal for Al-Nassr against Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League
Varane replaced Lisandro Martinez against West Ham, with the Argentinian out for eight weeks
Martinez’s injury layoff should ensure Varane starts more regularly in the coming weeks
“We all wish Licha a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the field later this season.”
Martinez will not require surgery for the injury, but it comes as a blow as he was just four games into his comeback from a broken foot that did require surgery.