Raphael Varane ‘handed lifeline after being frozen out at Man Utd as Champions League giants target shock transfer’
RAPHAEL VARANE could become a shock target for Bayern Munich.
The German champions are reportedly monitoring the centre-back after his plunge down the pecking order at Manchester United.
claims Bayern have discussed the 30-year-old and will keep him "under observation in the next weeks".
But the Frenchman's wages are regarded as a major obstacle.
The £40million buy from Real Madrid in 2021 is midway through a four-year contract at Old Trafford on around £340,000 a week.
That's £17.7m a year for a player now behind Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans and most recently Victor Lindelof in boss Erik ten Hag's list of preferences.
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On top of that, fellow central defender Lisandro Martinez should return from two months out with a foot injury later in November.
Plettenburg believes Varane is valued at 20m to 30m euros - £17.5m-£26m.
He also suggests "a loan is not an option at this stage".
The transfer talk comes as United legend Rio Ferdinand reckons Varane must be mystified by his recent exclusion from United's starting team.
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The former England centre-back told his Youtube show: "If he’s on the bench, you think he must be fit.
"But I know that Varane is waking up and his head has got scramblers going off it in, because he’s thinking 'I’ve banged out five Champions League medals. I’ve played an integral part in all of those'."
Varane has appearently been told by Ten Hag that he has been rested for tactical reasons, with the defender vowing to fight his way back into the team.
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