A recent rumor has surfaced suggesting that former Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is at serious risk of having his two-year contract with Italian club Como terminated, just one month after signing.
Varane left Manchester United as a free agent on June 30, along with several other players. While Omari Forson also decided to move on after rejecting a new contract offer, Brandon Williams and Anthony Martial departed as well.
Unlike some of his former teammates who explored opportunities in Saudi Arabia, Varane opted to remain in Europe and signed with Como, a Serie A team, under the management of Spanish legend Cesc Fabregas.
This move followed Como’s aggressive summer recruitment campaign as they prepared for their first season back in Serie A after 21 years. Besides Varane, Como signed several other experienced players, including Pepe Reina, Sergi Roberto, Alberto Moreno, and Andrea Belotti. They also secured young talents like Maximo Perrone from Manchester City and Nico Paz from Real Madrid.
However, Varane’s transfer to Como has not gone as planned. He suffered an injury during his debut in a Coppa Italia first-round match against Sampdoria, which ended in a loss for his team. There is still significant uncertainty about the exact nature of Varane’s injury.
Some reports suggest it is a knee problem, while others claim it is a thigh issue. Regardless, Varane remains sidelined, and the latest news from Italy suggests that his career with Como could already be in jeopardy.
Varane’s name was notably absent from Como’s 25-man squad for the Serie A season, a list finalized after the transfer window closed on Friday night. According to Sport Mediaset, Raphael Varane has been excluded from the 25 players that Como submitted to Lega Serie A for the 2024-25 season. The report suggests that Como is considering terminating Varane’s contract following his injury.
Having joined the club as a free agent in the summer, Varane has not been able to make an impact due to his injury. Como would not be able to register him with their Serie A team until after the January transfer window. Given this delay, the club is contemplating whether to release the 31-year-old just five weeks into his two-year contract, rather than wait for six months.
Varane had initially expressed high hopes for his “very exciting” move to Como. He spoke about the transfer in an interview with Manchester United’s official club media, acknowledging that the opportunity to play under Fabregas, a former rival from his Real Madrid days, was a significant factor in his decision to join the Italian side. Varane described the Como project as “extraordinary” and different from any other he had encountered, stating that he was intrigued by the vision and eager to be a part of it.
Two days after joining Como in late July, Varane commented on his decision: “At first, I was intrigued to find out what the project was all about, and then I quickly recognized that it was extraordinary. Different from any other I had been shown, so I was curious more.” He added that the more he learned about the project, the more appealing it became, which changed his perspective on his future plans.
The project quickly moved to the top of his list, and they finalized the contract.
Despite his current predicament, Varane expressed enthusiasm about his role at Como, noting that it was exciting to bring his experience at the highest level to help the club grow and possibly climb higher in Italian football.
He also looked forward to working with Fabregas, saying, “I am meeting Cesc once more, but not as an opponent this time. His theory of play and his fervent football love truly appeal to me.”
While Varane hoped for positive outcomes, the reality appears different, with his future at Como now uncertain. The club’s decision on whether to retain or release him could have significant implications for his career.
