Chelsea Transfer News: Raphael Varane Blow Dealt, Latest on Cristian Manea

Jose Mourinho's hopes of signing young centre-back Raphael Varane have been shot down by Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti. However, that blow will be softened for Mourinho by news that he is about to freshen up his defensive ranks with a different young talent.

Romanian full-back Christian Manea is reportedly on his way to Chelsea. That's after the Premier League club apparently agreed a fee with FC Viitorul, per Gazeta Sporturilor (h/t 101 Great Goals):

"

Romanian daily Gazeta Sporturilor are calling it: Chelsea have reportedly signed 17-year-old right-back Cristian Manea for €3 million.

According to Gazeta Sporturilor, Chelsea have agreed to pay the youngster €20,000 a month, while after joining the Blues in January, Chelsea have already lined-up for Manea to go to Vitesse, where he’ll be bloodied in a higher grade league.

"

Manea is the second promising young defender pursued by Chelsea since Mourinho returned to the club in 2013. The Portuguese boss has also added combative French centre-back Kurt Zouma.

Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images

That signing and the potential deal for Manea are examples of good future planning from Mourinho. He knows that the time for a defensive revamp is fast approaching.

The club is still heavily reliant on 33-year-old central defender John Terry. Meanwhile, 30-year-old Branislav Ivanovic currently occupies the right-back berth Manea may possibly eventually fill.

However, Mourinho's inevitable shake-up at the back won't include Varane. Ancelotti ruled out the possibility of a sale, per RealMadrid.com reporter Javier Garcia:

"

He is a Real Madrid player, he is young and we need him. If he is going through a difficult time, we will help him. I always say that we have Ramos and Pepe, who are two of the best defenders in the world.

"

Varane has been trying to force the club into talks over a new and significantly improved contract, per Daily Mail reporter Oliver Todd:

"

The 21-year-old's representatives will meet senior staff in Madrid next week as the French centre back looks to at least treble his £25,000-per-week wages to a figure more in line with other members of Real's squad.

"

The potential standoff over fresh terms has kept Chelsea hopeful of eventually signing Varane. Yet although Ancelotti hasn't exactly been effusive about the player, perhaps carefully protecting Madrid's negotiating position, he doesn't sound eager to lose the precocious young star.

Despite Ancelotti's stance, Mourinho remains a huge fan of the physically imposing 21-year-old. The youthful and athletic Frenchman was given his chance to impress when Mourinho was running things for Los Blancos.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

His former boss praised his considerable talent and potential back in April, per Yahoo Sports (h/t Sky Sports):

"

I think he is the best young central defender in the world. Already I think he's the best. A young player must be somebody who plays in the World Cup for the first time.

These are players like Hazard, Neymar and Rafa Varane. Maybe I forget some others.

"

Such high praise is merited for a player who belies his young years with authority and assurance at the back. Ironically, it's the very talent Mourinho endorses that is likely to keep Varane out of his clutches.

Put simply, Madrid need Varane to solidify what has been a leaky defence at the start of the new season. Los Merenques have conceded seven goals in their last three matches.

Veterans Sergio Ramos and Pepe are beginning to look more than shaky. As much as Mourinho covets Varane to freshen up his Chelsea defence, Madrid may need him more for the same reason.