Despite having some of the most competent personnel in their backline, FC Barcelona are not having a stellar season defensively. The team had conceded more goals even before reaching the halfway in La Liga this season than they had in the entire last season.
Important defenders like Christensen and Kounde are not in the best of their forms, while one of the best signings of the last summer transfer window, Inigo Martinez, has also been unavailable for the last few games because of his physical issues.
Barcelona are already planning for some changes in the backline at the end of the season, but reports indicate that there has been some movement that can cause a change in the team’s defence in this winter window itself.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Premier League side Manchester United has offered one of their defenders, Rafael Varane to Barcelona. The Red Devils want to part ways with the former Real Madrid centre-back, who has failed to live up to his reputation in England since his move to the Manchester side in 2021.
This season, the Frenchman has become a particularly problematic player for Eric ten Hag, and the club is thus looking for a transfer of the defender.
Varane is not the only player that Ten Hag wants out, as other players like Anthony Martial are also on the way out, while Jadon Sancho has already agreed to rejoin Borussia Dortmund on loan.
For their part, Manchester United are looking to reorganise their squad and cut their wage costs to save their season and had already offered Varane to Real Madrid. The Merengues are suffering in the defence because of long-term injuries to Eder Militao and David Alaba.
The Madrid side ruled out a return of the Frenchman earlier, but does not really see him as a bad option. They can offer around €10 million for the defender, while United have offered the centre-back to Barcelona for €20 million.
