Chelsea have received a boost in their push for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.
The French World Cup winner, 27, is out of contract in 2022 but could leave Madrid this summer for a large fee with permission from President Florentino Perez.
The potential transfer would cost a reported fee of £60 million and according to Bild's Christian Falk, Varane is the “No.1 on the shortlist of Chelsea FC."
Manchester United were also interested in Varane's signature to provide Harry Maguire with an experienced centre-half partner.
Departing executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward was reportedly prepared to offer £100million after the World Cup but Varane's value was increased at the time.
Now it appears United are switching their attention on Sevilla's younger 22-year-old Frenchman Joules Kounde.
