He arrived as a star, hasn't performed and would leave Manchester United for free

In a surprising turn of events, Real Madrid have begun their search for an experienced centre-back due to long-term injuries to Militao and Alaba. Although the club are in no rush to make a decision, their need to reinforce the defence is leading them to consider options until the market closes on 1 February.

One of the names that has emerged as a possible temporary solution is that of Raphael Varane, who currently plays for Manchester United. Varane, formerly of Real Madrid, has struggled in England since his €40m transfer in 2021. Although his return is yet to be officially confirmed, the Real Madrid coaching staff, who know him well, are keen to bring him back.

Varane's contract situation at United is a source of confusion. The player has faced injuries that have affected his continuity with the English side, missing a total of 38 games in two-and-a-half seasons. Ancelotti, who managed Varane during his first spell at Real Madrid, is considering bringing him in because of his experience and proven skills at the elite level.

Varane, a World Cup winner with the French national team, would not need time to adapt before returning to the white shirt. Furthermore, according to AS, this operation could be beneficial for Real Madrid, as they could acquire him at a considerably lower price, or even for free, compared to the 40 million euros for which they sold him in 2021.

Recently, there has been speculation about the true length of Varane's contract with Manchester United. Although it was announced that he signed until 2025, it has been revealed that the final season is optional. This means that the player will have a season and a half remaining at the English club. In addition, Varane is on the list of players United's owners want to sell, which could pave the way for his return to Real Madrid.

Goodbye Varane 

The main obstacle in this operation is Varane's high salary, which amounts to 15 million euros. This would make him one of the highest paid players at Real Madrid, when he was earning eight million net on his departure.