Bayern Munich ready to dole out €20million for Raphael Varane
Bayern Munich are ready to make an opening offer for Man United defender Raphael Varane
The defender has struggled for regular playing time at Old Trafford this season, making just five Premier League starts – with the likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans often starting ahead of the 30-year-old.
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This has led to speculation that he could leave the club, with reported interest from Saudi Arabia and former club Real Madrid – where he could potentially replaced the injured David Alaba.
And Spanish newspaper Sport claim Bayern have now entered the race.
The German giants have injury problems of their own and will be left even more light as Kim Min-jae and Noussair Mazraoui leave to take part in the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations respectively.
Sporting director Christoph Freund has already confirmed that the club will be on the hunt for a defender in January and Sport claim they are willing to pay around €20million (£17.3m) for Varane.
Varane has previously declared that he will end his career either at Real Madrid, Manchester United or Lens – where he started his career.
The Frenchman retains a deep attachment to the Spanish giants, keeping a strong connection with players and managers he has worked with, and even keeping his house there.
However, there has been no contact between the club and player over a move for the upcoming January transfer window.
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It is claimed that Varane is not in favour of changing clubs in the middle of the season, but knows his current situation at Manchester United can’t be prolonged for more than one season.
Varane joined United for Real Madrid in the summer of 2021 and formed a formidable partnership with Lisandro Martinez last season.
However, with Martinez missing most of the current campaign through injury, Ten Hag has not stuck by the Frenchman who has often been fourth or fifth choice during the opening months of the season.