According to a source, Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has picked Serie A as a league he could move to when he leaves his current club in 2024.

Varane is sliding down the pecking order at Manchester United, having only started four of their first 12 Premier League games in 2023-24. Varane, who is out of contract at the end of next season, could leave the Red Devils in the new year.

TEAMtalk reported on Tuesday that Varane is considering his alternatives in Europe rather than Saudi Arabia before deciding whether or not to leave Manchester United in January.

Bayern Munich, for example, has shown interest in Varane, but according to The Sun, he may prefer to transfer to Italy instead.

Varane reportedly ‘would love’ to test himself in Serie A, which is still regarded as one of the best leagues for defenders to exhibit their abilities.

However, the source states that Varane will have to wait for his next move since Manchester United will resist his January exit and instead suggest a summer sale.

Erik ten Hag is eager for his players not to be deprived in the middle of the season, especially given that Manchester United still has room to make up in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

Regardless of the outcome of their season, Manchester United will seek bids for Varane in the summer 2024 transfer window, when he would be 31.

At that moment, despite the lure of a large wage in the Saudi Pro League, the former Real Madrid player could push for a move to Serie A.

It is unclear which Italian clubs are interested in signing Varane, but the top clubs in Italy will be on high alert as a result of this latest update, hoping for a fair deal.

Varane might become the latest Frenchman to play in Italy

France has the most players in Serie A than any other non-Italian country. Varane’s compatriots in Italy are Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Benjamin Pavard (Inter), and Adrien Rabiot (Juventus).

Varane, who resigned from international duty in February, has never played in Serie A, having previously represented clubs in France, Spain, and England.

Varane has made 75 appearances and scored two goals for Manchester United since arriving from Real Madrid in 2021. He was a starter when they won the Carabao Cup final last season, but he has been plagued by physical troubles in recent months.

It is yet another aspect that could point to a future away from Old Trafford for the ex-Lens product, though his next challenge now appears to begin in the 2024-25 season rather than in the middle of the current one.