Raphael Varane open to shock transfer return amid frustration over game time at Man Utd

Varane has seen a decline in his playing time, with Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire being preferred over the 2018 World Cup winner at centre-back by manager Erik ten Hag. Although he was picked against Liverpool, he missed the trip to West Ham due to illness, which sparked further speculation about his future. Meanwhile, Lens manager Franck Haise insisted that the club remains open to Varane's return, although he admitted that contractual aspects add complexity to the situation.

“If Varane wants to return, we will welcome him with open arms,” Haise told reporters last month. “However, with the contract, it’s another thing. I read that it would also be complicated for Bayern Munich to pay his salary, and if it is for them… But maybe he wants to come back, and I don’t know, who knows."

According to French outlet L’Equipe, Varane is open to leaving United and Lens are being considered one of the potential destinations after Real Madrid pulled out of the race to sign him to solve their defensive crisis. Notably, Varane had previously mentioned that Lens, along with United and Real Madrid, are the clubs where he envisions retiring.

“I will finish my career either in Madrid, or in Manchester, or in Lens,” Varane said back in March. “I will not move to another club [other than those]. But Madrid seems complicated to me. Players don’t usually go back there. The most likely outcome today is that I will finish [my career] in either Manchester or Lens.”

Varane made 24 appearances for Lens in the 2010-11 season before Zinedine Zidane recommended Real Madrid to sign him for just €10m (£8.6m/$11m).

Varane might be reinstated to the starting XI against Aston Villa on Tuesday after Ten Hag revealed that he has recovered from his illness and is available for selection. The 2018 World Cup winner is likely to pair up with Jonny Evans at the heart of defence to stop the likes of Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby.