Chelsea to launch 55-million bid for Raphael Varane

Chelsea are ready to launch a 55-million-euro bid to sign Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to Bristish tabloid Daily Mirror.

The Frenchman has been a major target for Jose Mourinho since he moved from Madrid to London in 2013. Los Blancos have never been interested in selling, but Chelsea have seen the likelihood of the transfer increased as Pepe is negotiating a contract extension with the Santiago Bernabeu club.

According to the Daily Mail, Pepe has been offered a deal until 2017 and that hasn’t pleased Varane, who will be willing to move out if he keeps sitting on the bench.

The 21-year-old is one of Europe’s most promising defenders, but he has failed to earn a spot in the starting eleven this season following Pepe’s great performances in the first third of the season.

Given the chance that Los Merengues would consider selling him, Jose Mourinho has reportedly convinced Roman Abramovich to make an attractive 55-million offer, which would be difficult to turn down.

However, Florentino Perez is a great admirer of the Frenchman and sources from Spain have suggested he’s spoken to Carlo Ancelotti to convince the Italian to give Varane more minutes of play. Real Madrid president doesn’t want the defender to ask for a transfer, and keeping him happy is the only solution.