Serie A club consider terminating ex-Manchester United star's contract after he picks up injury following transfer: Reports
Former Manchester United star Raphael Varane has been left out of Como 1907's Serie A squad list for the season and could have his contract terminated. The veteran French defender suffered a knee injury 23 minutes into his competitive debut.
Italian outlet SportMediaset reports that Varane wasn't named in Como's squad for the rest of the Serie A campaign. He joined Cesc Fabregas' side as a free agent after leaving the Red Devils earlier this summer when his contract expired.
Varane is at risk of already having his contract terminated despite spending just months at the Stadio Comunale G. Sinigaglia. He's encountered an issue with the flexor muscle in his thigh and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The former Real Madrid superstar joined the likes of former Barcelona captain Sergi Roberto and former Liverpool stars Pepe Reina and Alberto Moreno at Como. He was expected to be a key man for Fabregas this season but could already be leaving the Lombardy-based outfit.
Varane encountered many fitness issues during his Manchester United spell. He missed nine games last season due to a muscle problem and wasn't offered a new deal by the Premier League giants.
Raphael Varane on how 'winner' Cesc Fabregas persuaded him to join Como after leaving Manchester United
Varane was on the lookout for a new club after leaving Manchester United, and there was talk of moves to the Saudi Pro League and the MLS. He opted to join Fabregas' project at Como after the club were promoted last season.
Fabregas was vital in convincing Varane to head to the north of Italy. The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner said during his unveiling (via Daily Mail):
"My personal ambition to come here was to come and take on a new challenge. Cesc was certainly a very important person to convince me... It wasn't a very particular discussion per se, we talked about football. Very simply, I liked his philosophy of play. We have many ideas in common. Cesc obviously is a person who likes to win."
Varane never played with Fabregas during his career but faced him with Madrid in El Clasico. He has a ton of experience having won 21 major trophies for club and country during his illustrious career.
Injuries have started hitting the Frenchman at his career's back end. He retired from international duty in February 2023, citing issues with the demands of the football schedule.