In a surprising turn of events, reports suggest that Al Ittihad is engaged in preliminary negotiations with Manchester United regarding Raphael Varane.
Raphael Varane, after an illustrious tenure with Real Madrid, made the move to Manchester United in 2021.
The club secured his services for a fee of £34 million, and he signed a four-year contract.
Now in his third season at Old Trafford, the 30-year-old defender has made 65 appearances for Manchester United.
It’s quite unexpected to hear reports of preliminary talks between Al Ittihad and Manchester United concerning Varane’s potential transfer.
And it appears he has his sights on a potential departure, with bombshell reports claiming a move to Saudi Arabia could be on the cards.
That’s according to Saudi journalist @nawaf__oga, who states Varane has given positive indications of playing in the Saudi Pro League.
Considering Varane’s existing contract, Al Ittihad would need to pay a transfer fee to secure the services of the World Cup winner. Alternatively, they could choose to wait until his contract expires to acquire him on a free transfer.
Varane’s arrival at Al Ittihad would contribute a significant amount of experience to the team. His time with Real Madrid saw him clinch an impressive four Champions League titles, showcasing his prowess on the European stage.
Additionally, he boasts three La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey, and even secured the Carabao Cup during his recent season with Manchester United. Notably, Varane was also a pivotal part of the French national team that won the World Cup in 2018.
Al Ittihad have already made big moves this summer as they recruited Varane’s former club and international colleagues.
They snapped up Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, who left Real and Chelsea respectively.
Varane leaving Man United would come as a huge blow to Erik ten Hag, who has used him and Lisandro Martinez as his centre-back pairing.
Will Varane leave Man United? Watch this space.