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Manchester United will only offer £41m player a new contract if he takes a huge pay cut

Dylan Walsh

Wed 17 January 2024 19:15, UK

Manchester United will reportedly only offer Raphael Varane a new contract if the defender takes a huge pay cut.

The 30-year-old centre-back signed for the Red Devils back in 2021 for a reported £41m, with many believing that Varane had signed a four-year deal with United.

However, it appears that the deal actually involved Varane signing for a guaranteed three years with an option of an extra season, meaning Varane will become a free agent at the end of this campaign.

And , United will only keep Varane if the former Real Madrid defender opts to drastically reduce his wages, which are currently one of the highest in the squad.

Crook said: “When he was signed it was dressed up as a contract to the summer of 2025, when actually it turns out it’s a contract until the end of this season with a year’s option.

“United have decided not to take up that option. They would still like him to stay but on dramatically reduced wages. I’m not sure he would be keen to do that.”

Manchester United are making a massive mistake with Raphael Varane’s contract

It’s perhaps typical that United have one of the best defenders on the planet on their books and there’s now a real chance said-player could now leave for nothing.

Yet that’s seemingly what will happen with Varane this summer, with United unwilling to keep the French defender on the payroll with his current wages.

Whilst the centre-back is one of United’s highest-earners, Varane also remains one of the Red Devils best performers, even if some displays this season have been below par.

Indeed, Varane is too good a talent for United to simply give up on this summer, and the investment on a new contract worth the defender’s value could be worth it in the long-term for the Old Trafford side.