26 December 2023 , 12:12
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Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is the subject of speculation linking him with a return to Real Madrid in the upcoming January transfer window.
The France international only left the Spanish capital for Old Trafford in the summer of 2021 as part of a £34million transfer, but having fallen down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag, rumours are rife of an imminent exit. Varane has managed just two starts in the last 12 games as his manager has opted to try alternative central defensive partnerships.
Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid are in the middle of a defensive injury crisis with David Alaba and Eder Militao sidelined and as a result, a new defender in January is high on the manager's wishlist. According to Spanish outlet AS, Madrid are keen on overseing Varane's return.
The same report claims Varane would be open to the switch and his lucrative wage demands would not be an obstacle in the eyes of Los Blancos' hierarchy. The Frenchman is free to hold talks with foreign clubs from January 1 if United don't activate their option to extend his deal and amid all the speculation, past comments from the defender have resurfaced.
Speaking to the French edition of GQ Magazine earlier this year, Varane was grilled over whether United is the club he'll remain at until the end of his playing career and he conceded it is "a serious option." He did, however, also mention two alternative destinations.
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"I will finish my career either in Madrid, or in Manchester, or in Lens. I will not move to another club [other than those]," the World Cup winner explained. "But Madrid seems complicated to me. Players don’t usually go back there. The most likely outcome today is that I will finish [my club career] in either Manchester or Lens."
HAVE YOUR SAY!Should Varane rejoin Real Madrid? Comment below
Raphael Varane has been linked with a return to Real Madrid (Getty Images)United now only have the FA Cup and Champions League qualification to play for and in turn, Ten Hag is willing to cut ties with a number of players in the January transfer window. However, Varane is not believed to be one of them, with the Red Devils boss keen on keeping the defender around.
Ten Hag recently addressed Varane's lack of game time over the last two months and simply put it down to the level of competition for places. "There is internal competition, which is normal in big clubs,"When your chance comes, you must seize it and the others must fight to find their place."