Reportedly eager to extend his contract with Manchester United for an additional season, the French defender Raphael Varane has forced his way back into the lineup.
Varane made his season-low eighth start for the Red Devils in their stalemate with Liverpool (0-0).
Collaborating with Jonny Evans, the 30-year-old established a tenacious point for Manchester United at Anfield.
Amidst a defensive injury catastrophe, Varane has found his way back into manager Erik ten Hag’s squad against all odds.
His start against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week marked his first in seven weeks for the club.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Varane maintains his desire to remain at Old Trafford despite his limited availability of 14 appearances across all competitions.
United acquired the champion of the World Cup and Champions League from Real Madrid for £42 million in the summer of 2021.
It was initially reported that Varane had agreed to a four-year contract, but subsequent information revealed that his agreement was initially for three years with a fourth-year option.
According to reports, the center back is optimistic about exercising the one-year extension in his contract, which would prolong his tenure until the summer of 2025.
According to reports from last week, United are not believed to be interested in exercising that option, which would allow Varane to become a free agent in the summer.
Foreign clubs are permitted to negotiate contracts with players in their final six months of employment during the January transfer window.
Varane was a pillar of United’s defense during the previous campaign, and Ten Hag found Ten Hag’s partnership with Lisandro Martinez to be an excellent foundation upon which to build.
Varane, on the other hand, has struggled and fallen behind Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans, 35, who rejoined the club in the summer on a one-year contract, due to Martinez’s long-term injury.
Maguire’s resurgence this season has primarily relegated Varane to the bench, and a dispute with Ten Hag has also been linked to rumors.
This week, Mail Sport reported that earlier this month, football director John Murtough was in Saudi Arabia for transfer negotiations.
Varane, Anthony Martial, and Casemiro are all viable candidates for transfer to Saudi Pro League clubs; however, the club will not compel their departure, as they continue to hold significant importance within Ten Hag’s squad.
United’s top priority for the following month is to offload England forward Sancho, who has been excluded from the first team since September, when he essentially called Erik Ten Hag a fraud for United’s Premier League loss at Arsenal.