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Manchester United have reportedly decided not to trigger the one-year extension clause in Raphael Varane’s current contract with the club.
A previous report covered by The Peoples Person suggested that Varane’s deal is set to expire at the end of the ongoing 2023/24 campaign, contrary to popular belief that his terms were to expire in the summer of 2025.
This meant that Varane was free to speak to other clubs about a potential move as early as January when the winter transfer window opens.
According to The Daily Mail, United are seemingly prepared to let the Frenchman leave and have elected not to exercise their option to keep him at the club for a longer period.
The newspaper reports, “Manchester United have decided against triggering an option to extend Raphael Varane’s contract by 12 months leaving the defender free to hold talks with foreign clubs over a summer transfer from tomorrow.”
“The France international’s current contract runs out at the end of the season, but contains a clause giving United the option to automatically extend, which they have declined to take up by the 1 January deadline.”
Matt Hughes adds, “Mail Sport has been told that United regard the 30-year-old’s current £340,000-a-week wages as hard to justify given the injury problems that have restricted him to seven Premier League starts this season. Triggering the extension would have kept Varane on similarly high wages and the club want to renegotiate fresh terms.”
It’s understood that the Red Devils are eager to slash the wages of some of the highest-earning players on their payroll as they seek to free up resources to splash on new signings.
United are aiming to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations and the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Following the respective departures of David de Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo, Varane instantly became United’s highest-paid player, two and a half years after completing a blockbuster switch from Real Madrid.
Matt Hughes explains that the World Cup winner is still very much in Erik ten Hag’s plans and is regarded as an important member of the squad.
When contacted for comment by The Mail, United declined to comment on the matter.
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