Chelsea have reportedly made Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane their top summer transfer target, with Blues manager Jose Mourinho having grown frustrated with his current centre-back pairing of John Terry and Gary Cahill.
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Chelsea transfer news
Reports in the Daily Mirror have confirmed Mourinho’s interest in the 21-year-old, who he managed during his time with the European Champions. However, we’re not convinced that the Frenchman would be an upgrade on their current crop.
Varane was part of the Madrid defence that conceded four goals at home to Schalke in the Champions League on Tuesday, and clearly still has a lot to learn before he reaches the level Mourinho craves. With a price tag likely to be in the region of around £30m, would the Stamford Bridge side do better to look at a more established star?
Here are ten candidates that we think could fill that role:
10) Kamil Glik (Torino)
Not the big name Chelsea fans will be expecting, but a quality player with plenty of experience. The Polish international, 27, has been one of the stars of Serie A so far this season.
9) Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao)
The 20-year-old is less experienced than Varane, but at just 20 has equally huge potential. With a less well known name and a smaller price tag, he shouldn’t carry the same weight of expectation.
8) Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund)
The 26-year-old Serbian international has emerged as a target for Arsenal in recent days, but Chelsea could blow the Gunners out of the water with their transfer muscle, and they could do a lot worse.
7) Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur)
The Belgian star is desperate for success at the top level, and would likely be willing to move in order to achieve it. There’s no doubting his quality, and he would fit in well with the Blues.
6) Miranda (Atletico Madrid)
The veteran Brazilian would only be a short-term solution to Chelsea’s defensive issues, but he has the quality to be a big hit in the Premier League. A La Liga winner and a Champions League finalist last term.
5) Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
The former Manchester United youngster was widely tipped to be leaving the Spanish giants this year after a slow start to the campaign, but now appears to be back in favour. The multi-decorated star is still one of the best around.
4) Ezequiel Garay (Zenit Saint Petersburg)
Another player who has attracted interest from the Premier League in the past, the Argentine was thought to have caught the attention of Manchester United before ending up in Russia.
3) Nicolas Otamendi (Valencia)
Another Argentine international – the 27-year-old has been in fine form so far this season, playing a major role in Valencia’s quest for a Champions League place. Has been linked with the Premier League in the past.
2) Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)
The experienced Uruguayan is widely considered to be one of the best defenders on the planet. The 29-year-old was also part of Atletico’s hugely successful season last time around.
1) Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
Manchester United and Arsenal are among the possible destinations for the German World Cup winner, but the Blues would be foolish not to get in on the act with a bid for the world class 26-year-old.