Chelsea are ready to make a bid for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane and beat off the likes of Paris Saint Germain and Manchester United.
The French international is rated highly by Carlo Ancelotti at Madrid, but has failed to push past the likes of Pepe and Sergio Ramos for a starting place at the Spanish club.
Interest in the young central defender has been rife with the likes of PSG and Manchester United keen, but it is now understood that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is keen to sign the centre-back this summer.
Mourinho and Varane remain close friends after spending time together at Santiago Bernabeu and it is understood that the French defender would like to link up with the Portuguese coach once more.
United boss Van Gaal is also keen to make a summer move for the Frenchman and link him up with Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels, who is reported to have agreed a deal in principle with the English club.