Manchester United has reportedly made the decision to allow Raphael Varane to depart on a free transfer at the conclusion of the season.

The highly-paid French center-back, who joined the Red Devils from Real Madrid in 2021, currently earns an astonishing £340,000 per week, as stated by Spotrac. Despite being one of the team’s most experienced and accomplished defenders, the 30-year-old Varane is now seeking a fresh challenge elsewhere.

Recent reports from Football Insider reveаl that the Manchester United hierarchy, including new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have engaged in discussions with Varane but remain content with their choice to let him depart. Although the destination for Varane’s future remаins uncertain, there have been ongoing links to a lucrative move to the Pro League in Saudi Arabia. However, it remаins to be seen if the Frenchman will consider a move to the Middle East, and there may also be interest from teams in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States.

In the meantime, as Varane struggles to make a significant impact under Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United has relied on the defensive expertise of Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans. Additionally, young academy graduate Willy Kambwala has recently emerged as a standout performer following an impressive showing against Liverpool in the previous weekend.

During his nearly three-year spell at Old Trafford, Varane, who won the 2018 World Cup with France, has contributed two goals and one assist in 92 appearances across all competitions.