Ratcliffe hatches risky Man Utd January transfer plan days after taking charge

31 December 2023 , 16:24

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Ratcliffe hatches risky Man Utd January transfer plan days after taking charge

Raphael Varane could open talks with foreign clubs about a move away from Manchester United from New Year's Day after the club decided not to trigger a one-year contract extension.

United signed Varane from Real Madrid in 2022 and announced that his deal would 'keep him at the club until June 2025'. However, it has since emerged that Varane only signed a two-year contract with United having the option to extend it for a further 12 months.

And the Daily Mail are now reporting that the Red Devils have decided against taking up that option due to the 30-year-old's bumper wages. The report states that they do want to keep him at Old Trafford, but do not feel he is worth the £340,000-a-week pay packet he is currently earning.

United are planning to open talks with Varane about a new contract, with the club keen to 'reduce the wages of their highest-earning players more generally to free up resources for new signings next summer' in order to avoid being restricted by the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules.

However, their decision means they are risking losing Varane on a free transfer at the end of the season with the World Cup winner free to enter negotiations with foreign clubs about a move in January.

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He has been linked with several clubs, including Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and former club Real. Varane is not the only United player who could leave for free next summer, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Anthony Martial, Jonny Evans, Hannibal Mejbri and Tom Heaton also out of contract.

They have decided to take up an option to extend Victor Lindelof's deal for another year, while Martial looks set to leave on a free. The news comes after United boss Erik ten Hag revealed he was not expecting the club to be busy during in the January transfer window.

Manchester United have decided not to take up an option to extend Raphael Varane's contract (Getty Images)

When asked if new signings should be expected, he said: "I don't think so – and if so, the approach from United should be that if you can improve your team, then you should do. What we expect from every player coming to Carrington every day is for them to give their maximum, to give their best.

"As a club, you have to look for improvements, so if you can find better and it's realistic financially and with financial fair play, I think the club has to go with it. But realistically, in relation to the market, most of the time you don’t attract the best players in the winter.

"The top, top players will not leave their clubs in the winter. It's players who are disappointed, injured or just not the right fit or whatever."

Matthew Cooper