Como have gone full career mode with next season's squad as former Manchester United and Liverpool stars set to join

Como have gone full career mode with next season’s squad as former Manchester United and Liverpool stars set to join

Cesc Fabregas’ side have already signed Pepe Reina and Alberto Moreno and could sign two ex-Man United stars

Como have returned to Serie A after an absence of more than 20 years and the Italian side are eyeing signing two former Manchester United stars for their first season back in Italy’s top tier.

The Northern Italian side were last in Serie A in 2003, but have completed a return after 21 years following a second placed finish in Serie B.

I Lariani were managed to their success last season by Osian Roberts, who took over from Cesc Fabregas in the middle of the 2023/24 campaign, with the former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder Fabregas moving to be his assistant.

Como have embarked upon a recruitment drive since their promotion was confirmed, and several notable players have signed for the Italian outfit.

Former Liverpool duo Pepe Reina and Alberto Moreno have both had deals to join completed, with the documentation and confirmation expected within the next few days.

Reina, 41, is best known for his decade at Anfield and racking up almost 400 appearances as the club’s first choice goalkeeper.

Moreno played 141 games for Liverpool between 2014 and 2019, and has spent the last five seasons back in his native Spain with Villareal.

Goalkeeper Pau Lopez is also expected to join from French club Marseille, while striker Andrea Belotti has joined from fellow Italian side Roma for an initial reported fee of €4m – and two former United players could be joining Como in due course.

Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial. (
Getty)

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Como have put offers to recently released United duo Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial, both of whom are free agents this summer after departing Old Trafford at the expiry of their contracts.

Varane joined United in 2021 from Real Madrid, scoring two goals in 95 games across three seasons and winning both the FA Cup and League Cup in his time at Old Trafford.

Martial joined United from Monaco in 2015 and went on to score 90 goals in 317 games, though his game time reduced significantly in recent seasons owing to falling out of favour and injuries, and involved a loan spell at Sevilla.

Martial won the FA Cup, Europa League, League Cup and Community Shield while at United.

If Como can sign both Varane and Martial, it would give them a huge amount of experience ahead of taking on the challenge of Serie A for the first time in more than two decades.