How much will Varane earn at Man Utd?

25 Jun 2021 21:51 BST
3 min read

© ProShots - Real Madrid's Raphael Varane is wanted by Man Utd

Manchester United have made Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane their top summer target at centre-back.

The Red Devils are seeking a long-term partner for Harry Maguire and the 28-year-old Frenchman would appear to fit the bill.

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Moreover, Madrid could be enticed into a sale. Varane is out of contract next summer and losing him for nothing is not something that Los Blancos will be eager to avoid given they are in a relatively tight spot financially.

One of the reasons that Real Madrid may be willing to sell, though, is that he is demanding premium wages – and those will not drop for Man Utd.

How much does Varane earn?

Presently, Raphael Varane earns €12 million (£10.3m) on his present deal but a major stumbling block over his renewal is his insistence that he wants to double that salary to €24m, AS reports.

That would almost draw him level with what Sergio Ramos, who will be released at the end of June at the end of his contract, earned at the club.

Varane is, therefore, asking for a wage of €460,000 per week (£400,000) – a figure that could also be a stumbling block at Man Utd as his form over the course of the last season at club level has scantly justified such an outlay.

Who are Man Utd’s alternatives?

Jules Kounde celebrates winning the 2020 Europa League title — © ProShots

Manchester United are also reportedly keeping close tabs on Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde, who is a team-mate of Varane in France’s Euro 2020 squad.

Kounde was used on right of the defence for Les Bleus as they drew 2-2 with Portugal in their final group stage match, but is far more at home in the centre of defence.

At 22 years old, Kounde does have certain advantages over Varane, including his youthfulness, but also that he would be a far cheaper option, particularly in terms of wage demands.

Varane, meanwhile, would appear to do well to have either Real Madrid or Man Utd meet his wage demands as they stand.