Experienced central defender Raphael Varane is allegedly nearing a high-profile move with recently promoted Serie A team Combo.
The 31-year-old is currently a free agent after leaving Manchester United upon the expiration of his contract in June.
Varane spent three years at Old Trafford and made 95 appearances in all competitions, winning the EFL Cup and the FA Cup during his time in England.
Varane has been linked to a move to Saudi Arabia or a reunion with his childhood team, Lens, but it now appears that he will put himself to the test in Italy for the first time in his career.
Journalist Felizio Romano reports that Varane will sign a two-year contract with Como that expires in June 2026, with the option to extend for a further year.
Varane is anticipated to complete his transfer to a team now guided by Cesc Fabregas, who was introduced as Como’s official head coach last weekend, after signing the necessary paperwork and passing a medical exam.
© Reuters
Ipswich ‘in talks’ to sign Szmodics
Speaking about freshly promoted teams in England, Ipswich Town and Blackburn Rovers are negotiating the signing of striker Sammie Szmodics.
Over the course of two seasons with Blackburn, the 28-year-old has scored 40 goals in 89 games, including an outstanding 27 goals in 44 Championship games to earn the 2023–24 Golden Boot.
Blackburn, a team situated in Lancashire, finished 19th and avoided relegation on the last day of the season thanks in large part to goals scored by Szmodics.
Although it’s thought that Blackburn is eager to hang onto Szmodics, Dharmesh Sheth of Sky Sports News reports that Ipswich and Blackburn are in “advanced talks” about the striker’s arrival.
As things stand, it’s reported that Szmodics, who still has two years left on his contract at Ewood Park, is valued differently by Blackburn than by Ipswich.
Rodriguez eyeing up European return?
Elsewhere, James Rodriguez is reportedly set to leave Sao Paulo this summer and become a free agent.
The 33-year-old joined the Brazilian giants in July 2023 and has since played 22 times in all competitions, chipping in with just two goals and four assists.
Rodriguez failed to reach the heights expected in his debut campaign at Sao Paulo, but the playmaker rolled back the years at the 2024 Copa America with a superb display for runners-up Colombia.
After all, Rodriguez was named Player of the Tournament after helping Colombia advance to the final and recording a record six assists. However, the team lost to Argentina 1-0 in extra time, and Rodriguez is now set to face a new challenge at the club level. According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner will become a free agent after mutually ending his contract with Sao Paulo. Romano claims that Rodriguez would “love” to return to European football, having previously represented Porto, Monaco, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Everton.
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