Raphael Varane set for charm offensive with Cesc Fabregas over Como move | OneFootball

Raphael Varane is set to “speak in person” today with Cesc Fabregas and his coaching staff over a potential move to Serie A side Como as the Frenchman edges closer to a shock relocation to Italy.

The centre-back’s contract with Manchester United is set expire today following the club’s decision earlier in the season not to activate an automatic twelve month extension in his deal.

Following his switch from Madrid to Manchester in 2021, in a deal worth a reported £41 million, Varane endured a mixed experience in England.

While there were many examples of the elite defender who dominated European football for a decade, there were also numerous signs of decline, as well as a lack of suitability to a more possession-based system.

Injuries were the reason for this decline as Varane’s ability to remain consistently fit appears to have completely gone. Across his three seasons at Old Trafford, the Frenchman missed close to fifty games through injury or illness.

There was a frustratingly piecemeal element to these injuries, as well, with Varane suffering eleven separate absences across his 36 months in Manchester. This made it particularly difficult to rely on the 31-year-old, especially last season, when Erik ten Hag’s defensive unit was ravaged by injury in general.

And, given Varane was on a wage packet worth in excess of £300,000 a week, it was a decision quickly made by INEOS – the new rulers at Old Trafford – to not renew his contract.

A potential move to Saudi Arabia had been mooted, while a return to boyhood club Lens in Ligue 1 was also suggested. However, it now appears recently-promoted Como may be in pole position to sign the World Cup winning defender.

As relayed by The Peoples Person here, Varane is described as the “dream target” for the Italian side with Fabrizio Romano revealing he had landed for “face-to-face” talks this week.

La Gazzetta dello Sport, an Italian sports newspaper, confirms Varane is locked in negotiations with Como executives and is due to talk directly to Fabregas, the club’s manager, about the “validity of the project” the Spanish coach is overseeing.

The report also contends Como may offer Varane a role within the club beyond his playing career, citing examples such as Thierry Henry (a minority stakeholder) and Dennis Wise (recently the club’s CEO) as former players holding prominent positions in the executive structure.

La Gazzette dello Sport further reveals fellow Serie A side Roma also “like the Frenchman” but that today’s conversation with Fabregas will be crucial to Varane’s final decision.

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