Image Credits: Getty Images
According to a report by Todofichajes, Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is willing to take a huge pay cut for a new contract come the summer.
The French World Cup winner will be out of contract in June and, as ESPN had reported earlier in the year, United will not be looking to trigger the optional one-year extension on his current contract.
The report also did speculate that there was room to negotiate a new deal, one that will involve new terms including a pay cut.
The 30-year-old is currently on a £340,000-a-week contract at Old Trafford and the new executives will probably be looking at lowering those wages as they seek to lower the overall wage bill that has ballooned over the past couple of years.
Raphael Varane is still comfortably United’s best box defender, and there is no reason they shouldn’t offer him another deal. Still only 30, he definitely has at least 5 more years at the top.
The defender has been attracting suitors from the Saudi League, but he has no intentions of moving to the Middle East.
He was recently quoted saying he is only willing to retire at the clubs he has played for, which are Real Madrid, RC Lens and Manchester United.
There is a massive rebuild incoming in the summer with lots of departures, and Manchester United will be wise to keep someone of Varane’s experience and quality.
His leadership and experience at the back will certainly be crucial, and he will be a worthy partner to whoever Erik ten Hag settles on at centre back if his regular partner Lisandro Martínez isn’t available.
In case the new contract doesn’t fall through, United will definitely be looking to get back some of the £41m they paid for the Frenchman if worthy suitors come their way.
