Recently departed Man Utd star already facing contract termination, as ‘super exciting’ move quickly turns sour
Raphael Varane, the former Manchester United defender, is reportedly facing the possibility of having his contract with Italian club Como terminated just one month after joining on a two-year deal.
Varane, along with several other notable players, left Manchester United as a free agent on June 30. Among those departing were Brandon Williams and Anthony Martial, while Omari Forson also left after declining a new contract offer from the club.
Instead of pursuing a potential move to Saudi Arabia, Varane opted to remain in Europe, eventually signing with Como, a Serie A team newly promoted for the first time in 21 years. Como, under the management of Spanish football legend Cesc Fabregas, embarked on an ambitious recruitment drive during the summer. In addition to Varane, they brought in other experienced players such as Pepe Reina, Sergi Roberto, Alberto Moreno, and Andrea Belotti. The club also acquired promising young talents like Maximo Perrone from Manchester City and Nico Paz from Real Madrid.
However, Varane’s move to Como has not gone as planned. He sustained an injury during his debut in the first round of the Coppa Italia against Sampdoria. The exact nature of his injury is unclear, with conflicting reports suggesting it could be either a knee or a thigh problem. Regardless, what is certain is that Varane is currently sidelined, and his future at Como is now in doubt.
Recent reports from Italy indicate that Varane was not included in Como’s 25-man squad for the Serie A season, which was finalized after the transfer deadline. This has led to speculation that the club may consider terminating his contract.
According to Sport Mediaset, “Raphael Varane has been excluded from the list of 25 players handed over by Como to Lega Serie A for the 2024/25 season. The veteran French defender, formerly of Real Madrid and Manchester United, arrived in the summer as a free agent but was injured before the start of the championship. Varane was injured on his debut in the Coppa Italia against Sampdoria, and now Como is also considering terminating his contract.”
Given the situation, Como would not be able to register Varane as part of their Serie A squad until after the January transfer window. Instead of waiting for six months, the club is reportedly contemplating whether to release the 31-year-old just five weeks into his two-year deal.
