Raphael Varane is wanted in the Saudi Pro League.
The bottomless pit of cash that exists in the Saudi Pro League had led to an influx to world-renowned footballers such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane.
However, not all of the players moving to Saudi Arabia are past their best. Portuguese winger Jota, 24, is a prime example after leaving Celtic for Al-Ittihad this summer.
Manchester United have yet to benefit financially from the Saudi money this summer, but French outlet Sport Zone claims Karim Benzema had made attempts to persuade Varane to join him at Al-Ittihad. The idea was reportedly rebuffed by the centre-back.
⚡️FLASH ZONE ⚽️
Raphaël Varane est également ciblé par Al-Ittihad qui est déjà entré en contact avec des représentants.
▫️Kanté & Benzema tentent de l’attirer.
▫️Mis au courant, le joueur a pour l’instant décliné l’offre et souhaite jouer en Europe encore une saison au moins. pic.twitter.com/OdrbqFEJYO
— SPORTS ZONE (@SportsZone__) August 18, 2023
Reliable French journalist Julien Laurens insists Varane hasn’t been contacted by Saudi Arabian club. He posted the following on Twitter last night: “I didn’t think I needed to do this but the rumours are going too strong now! So, no Raphael Varane hasn’t been contacted by any Saudi Arabian club. He is very happy at United and wouldn’t want to leave even if one contacted him.”
I didn’t think I needed to do this but the rumours are going too strong now! So, no Raphael Varane hasn’t been contacted by any Saudi Arabian club. He is very happy at United and wouldn’t want to leave even if one contacted him.
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) August 21, 2023
Losing a starting centre-back two/three weeks into the new season would be a concern. Especially when I don’t trust United to find an adequate replacement before transfer deadline day.
United will hope the defender can focus on his football at United rather than the potential deals he strike in Saudi Arabia.
At 30, Varane should aim for at least two more years in Europe before moving to the Middle East.
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