Bayern Munich are reportedly leading the race for Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane in the upcoming January transfer window.
According to Football Insider, Bayern Munich have emerged as frontrunners in the race to sign Manchester United central defender Raphael Varane. The 30-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and could be sold in January as the Red Devils look to raise funds.
Varane recently spent a spell on the bench at Old Trafford, but he was drafted back into the side against Bayern Munich on December 12 and has also since started against Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Despite regaining his starting place, his long-term future at Old Trafford remains questionable, as both Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are set to return from injuries next month, while Victor Lindelof will also soon be available following a minor operation to deal with a personal issue, which means his game-time will be limited going forward if he remains at Old Trafford.
With his contract up at the end of the 2023–23 season, it appears certain that he will leave the Premier League. A slew of Saudi Pro League clubs are believed to be keen on landing the 30-year-old’s signature, but the player is seemingly not interested in a move to the Middle East at this stage of his career.
As of next month, he will be free to negotiate summer moves with European clubs, with a return to Real Madrid previously deemed the most likely option.
The Spanish giants have been hit by an injury crisis at the back and will be without David Alaba and Eder Militao for the rest of the season, with Antonio Rudiger their only fit senior centre-back at the moment. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti is apparently keen to be reunited with Varane, while the £41m star himself is thought to be open to a return to the Bernabeu.
However, German champions Bayern Munich have now entered the race. Tuchel is dealing with his own injury troubles, and the issues are exacerbated by defenders Kim Min-jae and Noussair Mazraoui participating in the AFC Asian Cup and AFCON tournaments with South Korea and Morocco, respectively.
Manchester United have the option to extend Varane’s contract for another 12 months if they plan to sell him during the summer transfer window. However, if Ten Hag hopes to keep Varane at Old Trafford, he will have to give the seasoned centre-back more playing time to keep his patience from wearing thin.
