Chelsea Transfer News: Raphael Varane Hopes Ignited by Andre Schurrle Rumours

Jose Mourinho will reportedly use the funds raised by the sales of Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah to sign Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.

The Chelsea players continue to be linked with an exit in order for Mourinho to fund further purchases and satisfy UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules. Jack de Menezes of The Independent suggests the Portuguese boss is "plotting" to lure his old colleague away from the Bernabeu, and he "would be funded" by the sale of the Blues' aforementioned pair.

Reports previously suggested Schurrle would be included in a part-exchange deal for Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus, as reported by Anthony Chapman of the Express.

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BVB CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke recently suggested they "will have to accept" Reus' decision if he decides to leave, but Real Madrid are still thought to be favourites for his signature, as reported by Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard.

Mourinho named Varane the "best young defender in the world" in 2014, per The Sun, via Elliott Bretland of Mail Online. He is a powerful, disciplined defender who fit well into Mourinho's system at Madrid and is capable of adapting to the physical demands of the Premier League.

Neither Schurrle nor Salah has featured regularly for the Blues this season. The latter has registered only five Premier League starts despite being able to play on either flank or through the centre, per WhoScored.com. Salah has failed to make regular appearances since joining last January, starting only seven games in all competitions during his first year at Stamford Bridge.

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There have been suggestions recently that Chelsea's defence is weaker than many thought. Gary Cahill has struggled for form and was brutally exposed during losses to Newcastle and Tottenham, the latter of which saw Spurs put five beyond Thibaut Courtois.

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola recently played down his interest in Varane, dismissing reports linking the German champions to Madrid's starlet. Spanish publication Marca, per Charles Perrin of the Daily Express, suggested Bayern are in for the player, but Guardiola indicated the story is false, as reported by Alec Fenn of Goal.com.

"This paper also wrote that Sevilla's sporting director will come instead of Matthias Sammer, and Sammer extended his contract," Guardiola said. "Marca don't have my number, maybe they have Jorge Mendes' [Varane's agent] number. Of course that's wrong."

B/R UK's Alex Dimond recently discussed other potential January signings for the Blues:

Mourinho isn't the type of manager who wastes time when players aren't wanted. He moved Kevin De Bruyne and Juan Mata out of the club during last season's winter transfer windows when it became clear they didn't fit into his squad. It will certainly be an indication of his plans if Schurrle or Salah departs.

Varane is already a quality defender, but he has the potential to be a world-beater. Some of his best form came under Mourinho's tutelage at Madrid, suggesting the pair could be successful together in the future.