Manchester United have decided against triggering an option to extend Raphael Varane's contract by 12 months leaving the defender free to hold talks with foreign clubs over a summer transfer from tomorrow.
The France international's current contract runs out at the end of the season, but contains a clause giving United the option to automatically extend, which they have declined to take up by the 1 January deadline.
United remain interested in extending Varane's stay at Old Trafford however, and plan to open talks over a new deal next month.
Mail Sport has been told that United regard the 30-year-old's current £340,000-a-week wages as hard to justify given the injury problems that have restricted him to seven Premier League starts this season.