RAPHAEL VARANE might be a surprise signing for Bayern Munich.

The German champions are apparently keeping an eye on the center-back following his fall down the pecking order at Manchester United.

Raphael Varane has recently seen Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans preferred ahead of him for Man Utd

Bayern have discussed the 30-year-old, according to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, and will keep him “under observation in the coming weeks.”

However, the Frenchman’s pay is considered a serious impediment.

The £40 million signing from Real Madrid in 2021 is halfway through a four-year deal at Old Trafford, earning roughly £340,000 per week.

That works out to £17.7 million per year for a player who has fallen behind Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, and, most recently, Victor Lindelof on Erik ten Hag’s priority list.

Furthermore, fellow central defender Lisandro Martinez is expected to return after a two-month absence due to a foot injury later in November.

Plettenberg feels Varane is worth 20 million to 30 million euros, or £17.5 million to £26.5 million.

He further states that “a loan is not an option at this time.”

The transfer speculation arises as United icon Rio Ferdinand believes Varane is perplexed by his recent omission from United’s starting lineup.

“If he’s on the bench, you think he must be fit,” the former England center-back said on his Vibe with FIVE YouTube show.

“But I know Varane is waking up, and his head is full of scramblers because he’s thinking, ‘I’ve banged out five Champions League medals.'” I’ve been a key player in all of them.”

Ten Hag appears to have informed Varane that he has been rested for tactical reasons, with the defender promising to battle his way back into the squad.