Raphael Varane offered Man Utd transfer exit after Sir Jim Ratcliffe investment

28 December 2023 , 05:00

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The January transfer window is set to open next week and Manchester United could be busy with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment now confirmed.

United are already out of Europe, having finished bottom of their Champions League group, but sit sixth in the Premier League. Despite their patchy form, Erik ten Hag's side are just five points off the top four.

They picked up a big win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day and will be hoping to come away with all three points when they take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday in their final game before the transfer window reopens. And with that in mind, here is all the latest transfer news from Old Trafford.

Varane attracts interest

Raphael Varane could be on his way out of Old Trafford next month, having struggled for regular game time this season.

A return to Real Madrid has been mooted, with the 30-year-old reportedly willing to take a pay cut to facilitate a move. However, Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest in signing Varane.

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash

According to Sport, Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is keen to strengthen his defensive options and the club are willing to offer more than £17million for the Frenchman given they are set to lose both Kim Min-jae and Noussair Masraoui in the New Year to the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.

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Ratcliffe's transfer influence

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has purchased a 25 percent stake in Manchester United (Icon Sport)

Following confirmation of his purchase of a 25 per cent minority stake in United, Ratcliffe will now have the final say in the club's transfer business.

Ratcliffe will take charge of sporting matters at United, with The Times revealing that official documents shared with the New York Stock Exchange about the deal state that Ineos must be informed of any transfer negotiations or major sporting decisions.

The deal is worth £1.25billion and was finally announced on Christmas Eve, with Ratcliffe stating in an open letter to the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) that he plans to "take Man Utd back to where it belongs, at the very top of English European and world football".

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Two transfer errors

Declan Rice and Harry Kane (Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

Former Premier League manager Tim Sherwood believes United made a mistake in not signing Harry Kane and Declan Rice this summer.

Both Kane and Rice made big money moves to Bayern and Arsenal respectively and have flourished, while the majority of United's summer signings have failed to make much of an impact. And Sherwood has questioned why the club did not go all out to sign the two England internationals.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: "Why on Earth did they not push the boat out to sign Harry Kane? I know I sound like a broken record but players like Harry Kane and Declan Rice would have improved a lot of players at that football club and they would have made the manager look better as well. They have an idea of what they are doing on the pitch."

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