Clubs from Saudi Arabia have been luring players from all around Europe by offering them an insane amount of money and facilities. Throughout this summer transfer window, lots of players aged 30 and above, and some young talents make the move to Saudi.
So it didn’t come as much of a surprise when reports came out suggesting that Al-Ittihad would be trying to bring World Cup Winner Raphael Varane out of Manchester United. Nuno Espirito Santo has been looking to buy some more foreign players for the defending champions of the Saudi Pro League (Al-Ittihad), Varane perfectly fits the profile.
But it was a given fact that United would not let go of the Frenchman so easily. His former teammate Karim Benzema also tried to convince Varane to join his team Al Ittihad, as per rumors.
Raphael Varane has never been in direct contact with Saudi clubs despite links — and he’s not interested in any move this summer 🔴🇫🇷 #MUFC
Manchester United also consider Varane key player not available on the market. pic.twitter.com/o00mED1eVF
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 22, 2023
Nonetheless, it has been reported by Julien Laurens and transfer market specialist Fabrizio Romano that Varane will be staying at United as both United and the manager consider him a key player. Both Laurens and Romano went on to say that despite rumors, no direct talk has taken place and Varane is very happy at United and wouldn’t want to leave even if they contacted him.
The news must come as music to Ten Hag’s ears as currently Varane is the only scorer for United in the Premier League so far and the Dutch manager doesn’t have many defenders to play in case Varane decides to leave.
Defensive dilemma at United: ten Hag to sign reinforcement
Another major reason why Manchester United would not be looking to sell Varane is due to the lack of center-backs right now under Erik ten Hag’s disposal. With Harry Maguire’s future uncertain, only two center-backs are there to start for United, Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane as they have sold their long-time servant Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe.
Former Manchester United cult hero Jonny Evans has rejoined United after his former club Leicester City got relegated. Varane currently has a contract that runs until 2025 which earns him $368,000 per week and he has formed a great partnership with the Argentine World Cup winner, Lisandro Martinez. United have also failed in their pursuit to sign Benjamin Pavard who rejected the offer from United in favour of a move to Inter Milan.
Currently United face a bigger problem with Mason Mount being injured, and they have shifted their focus to buy midfielders, with ten Hag eyeing to land the transfers of Ryan Gravenberch and Sofyan Amrabat.
Inside Ryan Gravenberch at Bayern Munich and the Harry Kane factor in Manchester United transfer chase #mufc https://t.co/Mjb46E3mGQ
— Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) August 23, 2023
So it remains to be seen which player among the above-mentioned names make the move permanent to Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window, and currently, no more outgoings from Manchester United are expected as well, except Mason Greenwood.