Raphael Varane has been a confirmed departure for over a month and finally, he’s closing in on a move to a new club.
An exit was always more than likely for Raphael Varane this summer as his hugely expensive contract was coming to an end.
The club announced that he was being released in May and since then many have been left wondering where he’ll end up next.
In the meantime, Manchester United have been left searching for a brand new central defender to fill the void that Varane left in defence, with some interesting names mentioned.
Now, it sounds like Varane is closing in on joining a new club, with his United contract set to expire on Sunday.
Raphael Varane set to move to a new club
With just this weekend remaining on his contract at Old Trafford, Varane is now making arrangements over where his next club will be.
It’s now been reported by Fabrizio Romano that Varane is set for face-to-face talks with Como ahead of a move to his next club.
Varane is said to already be in Como and is due to speak with the board of the newly promoted Serie A side, while he will also speak with Cesc Fabregas.
Como are believed to be dreaming of completing a move for Varane and the fact he’s a free agent just as they got promoted makes it appear to be a match made in heaven.
However, the World Cup-winning centre-back will surely have to see his wages dramatically reduced in order to see this deal occur with Como not capable of spending £340,000 a week on him.
How Manchester United should replace Varane this summer
This summer in a bid to bolster the defensive ranks, United have been linked with several options already, although not all of them are a good fit.
Jarrad Branthwaite and Jean-Clair Todibo would be immense additions and if United got both, it could mean the defence, along with Lisandro Martinez, becomes among the league’s best.
More recently, links to Matthijs de Ligt have emerged and this interest according to David Ornstein is independent of interest in Branthwaite – which suggests two centre-backs are wanted.
While De Ligt wouldn’t be our top choice, he does arrive with pedigree and if Erik ten Hag can renew him to the player he was at Ajax, it could end up being the signing of the summer.