18 August 2023 , 11:15
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Raphael Varane has no intention of moving to Saudi Arabia this summer and fully intends to stay at Manchester United – despite the best attempts of N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema to persuade him otherwise.
The central defender headed in the winning goal for United in their scrappy opening day Premier League victory at home to Wolves on Monday night. The Frenchman converted from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross to hand Erik ten Hag’s side the victory.
Varane is entering his third season at United and is an instrumental part of Ten Hag’s team, having formed an impressive central defensive partnership with Lisandro Martinez – who was signed last summer.
The Frenchman initially arrived to partner Harry Maguire – then club captain – in United’s defence but the England international has subsequently been usurped by the arrival of Martinez, while Victor Lindelof is also ahead of him in the pecking order.
Varane joined United following a nine-year stint at Real Madrid, where he won four Champions League titles and established himself as one of the world’s best central defenders. He also starred at international level with France, with whom he won the World Cup in 2018.
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His former France teammates Kante and Benzema – who both moved to Saudi Arabia this summer from Chelsea and Real Madrid respectively – have reportedly been attempting to persuade the defender to join them in moving to the Middle East this year.
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Varane bagged United's winning goal vs Wolves on MondayThe details are outlined by GFFN, who cite French media outlet Sports Zone in reporting that Varane was a target of the Saudi recruitment drive – but the former Lens defender has no intention of leaving Old Trafford, for this summer at least.
Varane retired from international duty following the World Cup in Qatar last summer, devoting the rest of his career to club level. He is under contract at United through to 2025 – and is hopeful of being first-choice for the next two seasons.
United for their part would be extremely reluctant to consider any departure – they are light in the central defensive department (Luke Shaw and Casemiro had to deputise in the position last season) while there are doubts over the future of Maguire, whose move to West Ham appears to have collapsed.