Chelsea have been deemed as a shock destination for soon-to-be out-of-contract Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
The Frenchman, 31, will leave Old Trafford when his contract expires next month, ending three years at Manchester United since arriving from Real Madrid in July 2021 for an initial fee of about £34m. He has made 93 appearances and helped the Red Devils win the Carabao Cup in 2023 when manager Erik ten Hag beat Newcastle United 2-0 in the final at the Wembley Stadium.
Raphael Varane has not featured for Erik ten Hag’s side since a 4-3 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on April 4 and it remains to be seen if he will be fit for Man United’s final Premier League game of the season against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday and the FA Cup final against rivals Manchester City on May 25.
The 2018 World Cup-winning defender will be available in the summer as a free agent, sparking interest of several big clubs. Chelsea has reportedly entered the race to sign Varane as a replacement for the departing Thiago Silva. However, they will face competition from Juventus and Al Nassr for the hugely experienced defender’s signature.
Chelsea to snap up Raphael Varane on a free transfer?
After Chelsea play their final game of the 2023/24 season against Bournemouth on Sunday, attention will turn to the future of manager Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentinean tactician has been under immense pressure since the start of the campaign following underwhelming results. But a superb run in the Premier League of late has seen the Pensioners on the brink of qualifying for European football next term and given how the entire season has panned out, a place in the Europa League would be some achievement.
The Blues’ late recovery and bright performances could hand Mauricio Pochettino a lifeline at Stamford Bridge. He revealed the need to sign quality and experienced players to his young squad at Chelsea, and Raphael Varane fits that profile perfectly.
Varane is regarded as among the most decorated defenders in world football, having won three La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies in his time at Real Madrid, as well as the 2018 World Cup with France. The ex-France international’s experience and winning mentality would be invaluable to the Chelsea side, while aiding the development of compatriots Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi. He can provide stability to the Blues’ defence and be a stop-gap replacement for Silva.
A lot would depend on Varane’s fitness as he has had three troubled years at Man United. If he manages to keep himself injury-free, the ex-Real Madrid star would represent a fantastic signing on a free transfer for the Blues.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
