Raphael Varane: Man Utd defender receives transfer message from Lens manager

Raphael Varane’s future at Manchester United is up in the air since Erik ten Hag dropped the defender from his starting lineup.

The Frenchman has started just once in United’s last five Premier League bouts and started from the bench during the Champions League defeat against Copenhagen.

Last term, Varane was a key player for The Reds as they completed a successful campaign with a third-place Premier League finish and Carabao Cup glory.

He built a strong partnership with Lisandro Martinez but has be replaced by Harry Maguire in the lineup in recent months.

The English defender has performed well but there have been arguments that the two should be starting together. Both Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof have been preferred on the left side of the defensive partnership lately.

With the former Real Madrid defender out of the team, rumours of a possible Old Trafford exit have arisen.

Bayern Munich and Saudi Arabian clubs reportedly hold interest in buying the 30-year-old but it is his first club that have publically spoken out on his situation.

Varane emerged into the first team at RC Lens in 2010 after being at the club since age nine before his move to Madrid a year later.

Lens manager Franck Haise has claimed that the French side would want to resign the defender but admits that Varane’s wage demands could be a hurdle for any potential deal.

“If Varane wants to return we will welcome him with open arms,” Haise told reporters, as per the Manchester Evening News. “However, with the contract, it’s another thing.

“I read that it would also be complicated for Bayern Munich to pay his salary and if it is for them… But maybe he wants to come back and I don’t know, who knows. However, it is not a current debate to be addressed now.”