Recent reports have suggested that Raphael Varane is keen to leave Real Madrid and will cost in the region of £20million.

Manchester United have been linked with the French international but it is also understood that Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea are interested as well. If Chelsea can sign the Real centre-back, it would be a real coup. Varane, at just 21-years-old, is one of the most promising young centre-backs in world football. He is also very experienced for a young defender, he has already played 120 minutes in a Champions League final, replacing Pepe in last season's 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid.

Varane’s potential has not gone unnoticed at Real, he has often been tipped as the next Fernando Hierro, a real cult figure at the Bernabeu. This is due to his excellent tackling ability - he can commit cleanly and strongly to a challenge and his timing rarely lets him down. He is also very good on the ball for a defender, even in the modern game,  and can read the game very well. Varane has 17 senior appearances for the French national side already. Comparing this to fellow Frenchman Kurt Zouma at Chelsea, the former St Etienne centre-back has yet to feature for the France senior team.

In terms of fitting in at Chelsea, it will be difficult for Varane to immediately walk into a starting berth at Stamford Bridge. The partnership of Gary Cahill and John Terry has been very impressive this season and Mourinho could see Varane as a potential long-term replacement for the Blues' Captain, Leader, Legend. If Varane is bought, Mourinho will have two of the most promising young centre-backs in world football in the mould of Zouma and Varane. A further advantage for Chelsea is that Varane won’t be immediately thrown into the spotlight, he will have time to settle and mature at Chelsea, as well as challenging for a starting position.

There is also a mutual respect between Mourinho and Varane, the Portuguese manager was responsible for bringing the Frenchman to Madrid in an £8million deal from French side Lens in 2011. If the reported fee of £20m is the asking price, Mourinho may see this as a real bargain due to the fact that the centre-back recently signed a new six-year deal to stay at Real Madrid in September 2014. Since he has signed that deal, however, he has featured very little for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. When he has played matches, it is often to replace an injured or suspended Pepe. The partnership of Sergio Ramos and Pepe at the Bernabeu has almost frozen Varane out of any potential first team action.

If Mourinho can clinch a deal for Varane, it would be a shrewd signing by the Chelsea manager. As well as acquiring a star for the future, the French international will add even more strength and depth to an already impressive Chelsea squad. The presence of Kurt Zouma at the club could also be an appealing option for Varane as well, as the two defenders have the potential to play regularly alongside each other at club and international level. The defender is one of the finest young talents available in European football at the moment and if he is set to leave Real, they may regret not offering him the first team football he was looking for.

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