Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Lionel Messi Rumours, Potential January Deals

Chelsea have been making "secret plans" to sign Barcelona's Lionel Messi according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo (h/t 101 Great Goals).

But according to the piece, the Argentina sensation is fully committed to the Camp Nou club.

Here we can see the newspaper's front page courtesy of 101 Great Goals:

Rumours emerged throughout the back end of 2014 that Chelsea were considering a massive bid for Messi, per James Dickenson of the Express, but the slim prospect of any deal was quashed by the Blues manager Jose Mourinho in an interview with Clare Balding for BT Sport:

Mourinho's words have been afforded even more credence by these reports from Spain. The piece in Mundo Deportivo claims that, despite longstanding interest from the Blues and flush French champions Paris Saint-Germain, "Leo Messi has total commitment to the club."

Despite failing to win any silverware in 2014, Messi still enjoyed a prosperous year in front of goal, as we can see here:

Any chance of him leaving Barcelona any time soon looks wholly unlikely. He's a player who is perfect for the Catalonian club and the team remains tailored to get the best out of the genial No. 10.

In addition, the Blaugrana's year-long transfer embargo means that even if they were to ponder the prospect of selling Messi, Enrique would be in no position to draft in a replacement, something that is an unfathomable scenario for all those associated with the Camp Nou club.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

In a story that is perhaps a little more feasible, Chelsea have reportedly been given the go-ahead to press on with a deal for Raphael Varane, with reports suggesting that the young defender could well be surplus to requirements at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Michel Euler/Associated Press

As noted by Bruce Archer of the Daily Star, the Los Blancos centre-back pairing of Pepe and Sergio Ramos look poised to land new deals in the Spanish capital, meaning that the French defender could well be sold off.

Here's a look at why Varane is revered as one of the world's best young players:

For Mourinho this would potentially be wonderful news. After all, he's a manager who will know Varane's qualities well after his three-year stint as Madrid boss, and looking back at quotes from the defender, it's clear that he harbours a special affinity with the Portuguese boss, per TF1 (h/t Ian Holyman of ESPN):

"

Yes, it's true. We were close to an agreement with Manchester United. And yes, I met Sir Alex Ferguson. I went there with my mum, who acted as translator. There was an interesting project there, but that's part of my career. It was a choice of club. ...

What I liked in what Jose Mourinho said to me is that he was honest. He didn't promise me time on the pitch, but assured me that I would have my chance and would give me the time to work.

"

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

As noted here by RMadridHome, according to Marca, the youngster is still very much third choice behind the aforementioned pair:

"

Marca | Carlo Ancelotti views Pepe as a key member of the squad and continues to rate him a long way above Raphaël Varane.

— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome) January 2, 2015"

With that in mind, if Madrid were to sell, Chelsea would probably be the overwhelming favourites to land the player.

But why on earth would Carlo Ancelotti sanction a sale? As already noted, Varane is one of the top prospects in world football and eventually his time will come in the Spanish capital. 

The youngster will simply have to be patient. Madrid are currently on an a wonderful winning run that the defence has been a major part of, so to chop and change the players involved would be misguided.

But with 31-year-old Pepe approaching the twilight of his career, expect to see Varane integrated into the side towards the end of this season and at the start of the next.