The departures of Varane and Casemiro will mark the end of an era at Old Trafford.
Manchester United intend to save about £700,000 per week in salary by unloading Raphael Varane and Casemiro this summer, according to a report, and the departures are part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s overall transfer agenda.
Varane and Casemiro are two of the most prominent players of their age. During their peak years at Real Madrid, the duo won nine Champions League championships together. Manchester United sanctioned moves costing £41 million for Varane and £60 million for Casemiro in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Varane’s time at Old Trafford has been marred by injury. Casemiro, meanwhile, seemed like an inspired acquisition in his first season with United.
However, the veteran Brazilian has exhibited troubling symptoms of deterioration this season and is no longer effective in protecting his struggling backline.
Varane is said to make £340,000 per week in Manchester, while Casemiro earns slightly more, at £350,000.
The two earn just short of £700,000 each week, and neither player has come close to justifying that high wage this season.
According to a new update from writer Steve Bates (writing for GiveMeSport), Manchester United plans to sell both players this summer
Is Saudi Arabia waiting?
Getting Varane off the books is straightforward since his current deal ends this summer. United do have an option for an additional season, but they will not use it, at least not under Varane’s present terms.
Meanwhile, Casemiro’s deal runs until 2026. Finding a buyer for a deteriorating 32-year-old midfielder earning exorbitant pay would normally be tough. However, Bates confirmed previous reports of substantial interest in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Pro League is allegedly interested in signing both players. Bates said that negotiations over the United pair’s fate are ongoing behind the scenes.
Varane and Casemiro were already in the fall of their careers when they joined Manchester United. According to Bates, such signings, which the newspaper refers to as ‘Hollywood’ manoeuvres, will become a thing of the past.
That is at the request of new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is opposed to Manchester United paying exorbitant fees for players who are best described as short-term solutions.
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