Man Utd defender Raphael Varane 'responds' to Saudi Pro League transfer rumours

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has appeared to respond to reports linking him with a move to the Saudi Pro League this summer.

Saudi Arabian journalist Nawaf Oga reported earlier this week that Al Ittihad were interested in signing Varane this summer, in another marquee deal for the division.

He even claimed that Nuno Espirito Santo's side had held 'preliminary discussions' over a move for the 30-year-old.

Varane signed for United in the summer of 2021, having spent 10 years at Real Madrid. Whilst at the Bernabeu, he won four Champions League titles.

Earlier in August, he scored United's only goal in their 1-0 win over Wolves on the opening day of the Premier League season.

As the key centre-back for Erik ten Hag, his departure would certainly leave a major void in both the United squad and the dressing room.

But the France defender has now appeared to respond to claims he could leave the club.

Raphael Varane responds to Saudi Pro League rumours

Taking to Instagram, Varane posted a photo of himself celebrating a United goal.

He captioned it with a red love heart and double sword emoji - appearing to indicate that he has no intention of leaving Old Trafford.

One of us ❤️#MUFC || @RaphaelVarane pic.twitter.com/5tdCDvLTLk

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 23, 2023

United reshared the post on their Twitter account, simply writing: "One of us."

Varane is believed to be a boyhood fan of United, and the club nearly landed his signature in 2011, when he was an 18-year-old playing at French side Lens.

However, they missed out on him to Real Madrid, where he would become a club icon in a side that would dominate European football for much of the next decade under Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane.

He has made 48 appearances since finally moving to Old Trafford in the summer of 2021, scoring three goals and forming a strong partnership with Lisandro Martinez at the centre of United's defence.