Manchester United are moving quickly in the transfer window and it seems like former United players are doing the same too.
Just days after leaving the club on a free transfer, Raphael Varane already has a new side, but is one not many expected to be in the race.
Serie A side Como are undergoing somewhat of a revolution after promotion to the top division, hiring Cesc Fabregas as the head coach and they have their marquee addition now in Varane.
Raphael Varane in Serie A
Fabrizio Romano gave his famed “Here we go” to the more, reporting that it is a two-year deal with an option for another.
He will now join Serie A stalwarts like Andrea Belotti, Simone Verdi, and Patrick Cutrone in the team’s quest to establish themselves in the division.
For Varane, it is a good move, since Serie A is the league where defenders, especially injury-prone and near the end of their career find themselves revitalised.
In a slower-paced league, Varane will have the opportunity to ease his body back into action and since Como will be playing in no European competitions, the match-load will be less too.
Last season, the Frenchman showed that he is still world-class if he is fit, as he renewed his partnership with Lisandro Martinez in the FA Cup final to bring the cup home.
Como will be hoping that is the version of Varane they get, instead of the one prior to the final when he was injured and unavailable most of the time.
If that happens, they will stand a very good chance of at least avoiding relegation this season, and then building on it next year.
The situation with Man United
United were reportedly willing to offer him an extension but only on vastly reduced terms, as his fitness issues kept propping up.
Consequently, the club avoided triggering the one-year option in his contract which would have allowed them to keep him on existing wages for one more year.
Instead, they have chosen to completely overhaul the defensive department, targeting multiple outgoings and incoming in the center of defence.
There has been a concerted effort to refresh the squad with a younger core, and the signing of 18-year-old Leny Yoro, who considers Raphael Varane an inspiration, is a step in that direction.
In addition, targeting the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and Matthijs de Ligt, both under 25, shows the new signing philosophy of the ownership regime.
Varane was never going to fit into it with his advanced age, mileage on his legs, injury record, and high wages. Therefore, joining Como looks like the best fit for all parties.
The player gets to play in a more comfortable environment, Como gets a world-class talent who’s capable of still doing it at the top if managed correctly, and United free up millions per year in wages.
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