Raphael Varane tipped to complete sensational summer switch to Chelsea | OneFootball

Manchester United’s current goal difference at the end of 32 games in the Premier League stands at an abysmal minus one with the Red Devils conceding three or more goals 13 times this season.

They also let in the second-most goals in this year’s Champions League group stages enroute to an embarrassing last-place finish in a relatively easy group.

Apart from disappointing displays, the defence has also been the worst-affected due to injury with four out of five senior centre-backs currently sidelined with manager Erik ten Hag forced to start academy graduate Willy Kambwala in back-to-back games alongside Harry Maguire.

The futures of multiple defenders are up in the air as new co-owners INEOS mull over a defensive overhaul after such a poor season for the club with the 20-time English league champions staring down the barrel at their worst-ever league finish.

Defensive overhaul

The most high-profile departure will be that of Raphael Varane, whose contract with the club ends in June instead of 2025 as previously advertised.

The Frenchman, who had earlier claimed he was open to retiring at Old Trafford, was disappointed to see the club not trigger the one-year extension option in his current deal.

There were talks of a new deal on reduced wages but as recently relayed by The Peoples Person, Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to clear the wage bill and the former Real Madrid superstar is the club’s highest earner and the British billionaire wants to move him on.

When fit and firing, there are hardly any better defenders inside the box than the World Cup winner but without Lisandro Martinez, and with the manager switching between playing him on the right and the left, the three-time Champions League winner has failed to exude the same level of authority as he would have liked.

With his recent injury record not looking too bright and considering his advancing years, Saudi Arabia was considered the 30-year-old’s most likely next destination.

Former England international Glen Johnson feels the former France international can still do a job in the English top-flight and tipped the United centre-back to complete a sensational move to fierce rivals Chelsea.

The Blues have also endured a difficult campaign, currently languishing in ninth and with the youngest squad in the division, they are in need of experienced winners.

If Thiago Silva leaves, a huge void would be created and a free move for Varane actually makes sense and his injury record would not be as concerning.

“Good players like that don’t come around often and they certainly come around less often on a free transfer,” the former Chelsea and Liverpool star was quoted as saying by The Mirror.

Varane to Chelsea?

“I know he’s not the Varane he was three or four years ago but he’s still a bloody good player. Yes, he’s had his injury problems but that’s what outweighs the transfer fee – if you’re buying him on a free and he’s only playing 40% of the games, then that’s still a good deal to do.

“As we saw with Thiago Silva, those sort of players who have done everything, played for top teams and clubs, they get the attention of the dressing room and they’re the big names that the younger players want to look up to and obviously they’re great to have around.

“If you have got a chance with Varane on a free transfer and he’s only going to play 50% of the games, I still think it’s a good deal.”

Varane has made 93 appearances for the Red Devils since his €40 million move three years ago, with 30 of them coming this season.

United would have little power to stop the deal from occurring if Varane has his heart set on the move. It will be interesting to see what happens with the defender this summer.

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