Why out-of-favour Raphael Varane could leave Man Utd as a free agent in 2024 amid uncertainty over defender's contract - explained

Varane has fallen out of favour at United and his appearance against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday was his first appearance since November, against Luton Town. He has been on the bench in three of the last four Premier League games and was not in the squad against Chelsea, and it has now been revealed that he could leave United this summer on a free transfer.

Per The Athletic, Varane's contract ends a year earlier than was originally publicised. It was previously thought that the World Cup winner's deal would end in two years, as United said, upon his announcement, that he had penned a deal "keeping him at the club until June 2025".

However, the deal actually expires at the end of this season, with the Red Devils holding an option to extend the deal. If they do not do so - it is unclear if they will - Varane can discuss a free transfer with foreign clubs from January 1, 2024. As a result, United may be minded to attempt to engineer a transfer in January in order to receive a fee.

United pay Varane around £13m ($16m/€15m) in terms of salary and may opt to write that off by allowing him to leave the club on a free transfer, but it is currently not clear what the terms of the extension clause are.

The Athletic again reports that clauses of that ilk are usually based around a player making a certain number of appearances, or potentially the club simply making an overall decision based on performances. Talks are likely to occur between the two parties soon.

The 30-year-old has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich and the Saudi Pro League in recent months. It remains to be seen if that interest will be formalised, or if United will attempt to extend his deal, although that seems more and more unlikely.