Ex-Man Utd star joins Osimhen in being removed from Serie A squad

Robin Bairner

31 Aug 2024 22:20 BST
3 min read

Victor Osimhen, Napoli, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Victor Osimhen has made headlines for being left out of Napoli’s Serie A squad, but he is not the only major star who will find it hard to make an impression in Italy’s top-flight in 2024/25, with former Manchester United and Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane omitted by Como.

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Varane made a new start in the summer by signing for Cesc Fabregas’ side after a difficult final campaign at Man Utd that was ruined by injury problems.

The centre-back had prematurely quit international football with France to concentrate on prolonging his club career, but he has been luckless in recent months and after just 23 minutes of Como’s Coppa Italia clash with Sampdoria was forced off the park injured.

Varane’s thigh problem appears to be more serious than first thought, with the ex-Man Utd star having been left out of Como’s Serie A squad.

This is the same fate as Osimhen has faced at Napoli, with the former Chelsea target seeing his No.9 shirt given to Romelu Lukaku, who promptly scored on his debut on Saturday against Parma in a thrilling 2-1 win.

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Varane just one of Como’s big-name stars

Fabregas will hope that his expensively assembled squad will have the experience to cope without the former Real Madrid star.

Over the course of the summer transfer window, the former Arsenal and Barcelona star has called upon a number of well-known faces, including compatriots Alberto Moreno, Pepe Reina and intriguingly Sergi Roberto. Italy international striker Andrea Belotti was also signed.

Meanwhile, Como also made a surprise move for Real Madrid talent Nico Paz – a deal that made Fabrizio Romano’s list of top 10 underrated transfers of the window.

After losing their opening Serie A fixture of the season 3-0 against Juventus, Fabregas’ side responded with a 1-1 draw against Cagliari and will next face Udinese in top-flight action – a match in which they will have to do without World Cup winner Varane.