Chelsea Transfer News: Luka Modric Deal Targeted, Latest Raphael Varane Rumours

Luka Modric could be set to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season because his girlfriend is struggling to adapt to life in the Spanish capital. According to Le 10 Sport (h/t Naveen Ullal of the International Business Times), that news could prompt Chelsea to make a move for the Croatian midfielder.

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Since signing for Los Blancos from Tottenham Hotspur, the 29-year-old has established himself as one of the finest midfield players in world football. As such, he has the class and tenacity to improve any side on the continent, including Jose Mourinho’s Blues.

Here’s a look at what Modric would add:

After struggling to initially settle in Spain, the Croatia international has cemented himself as a key fixture in manager Carlo Ancelotti’s plans. And although he’s missed the last couple of months because of injury, such were his performance levels earlier in the season, Modric will come straight back into a star-studded midfield when fit.

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Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez thinks Modric’s recent omission from the FIFPro team of the year proves how understated his influence is:

The former Tottenham man would be a wonderful foil for Nemanja Matic at the base of Chelsea’s midfield and you suspect that, if he were to become available, Mourinho would swoop for his signature. But such is his significance to this Los Blancos team, it’s difficult to see the club sanctioning a sale unless the player really pushes for it.

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As noted by Ben Hayward of Goal.com, the European champions haven’t been quite the same without their midfield dynamo despite a good run of recent form:

Chelsea have also been rumoured to be interested in another Real Madrid star, with reports claiming the Blues are set to launch a big-money bid for Raphael Varane. According to talkSPORT (h/t the Telegraph), there are perennial concerns about the club’s defensive depth and Mourinho sees the Frenchman as an ideal long-term solution.

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Here’s a look at why Varane is revered as one of the best young defenders in the world:

But as is the case with Modric, it’s difficult to see Madrid letting this key player leave. Varane is regarded as the long-term replacement for Pepe in this Los Blancos set-up and, while his game time has been limited by the Portuguese so far this season, it’s only a matter of time until he steps into the heart of this defence for the long-term.

It’s a sentiment echoed by Liam Twomey of Goal.com, who doesn’t expect much January activity at Stamford Bridge:

Indeed, reports have suggested that Chelsea are set to be trumped by Real Madrid in the race for Marco Reus too. According to Spanish newspaper El Confidential (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro), the Borussia Dortmund man will move to the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season after agreeing a £20 million deal.

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Here’s a look at what the European champions will be getting for their money:

Reus would potentially be a fine purchase for Chelsea, and although the lure of Real is difficult to turn down, Mourinho would surely be able to offer the German a lot more first-team football. If the forward does join the European champions he will be forced to vie with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez for a spot in the starting XI.

If a deal has been done, then the Blues will have to pursue other options; Bleacher Report’s Alex Dimond runs the rule over some potential targets here including the aforementioned Dortmund man:

Chelsea have reportedly already cited a player who can come in and make an impact at the sharp end of the pitch, however. That man is Mauro Icardi, with Alex Harris of the Daily Star citing “sources on the continent” who claim the Blues are favourites to land the Internazionale forward.

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Those rumours have been fuelled by quotes attributed to the Nerazzurri’s sporting director Marco Fassone, who has admitted that if the San Siro club don’t qualify for next season’s Champions League, they could be forced to sell players, per fichajes.net (h/t Harris’ piece):

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In January there are no plans to sacrifice players, but at the end of the season can occur.

We have already planned spending for next summer. No Champions League, some outputs may be unavoidable.

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Here’s a look at why Harris claims the 21-year-old is viewed as a potential replacement for Didier Drogba:

The Ivorian is a player who is fast approaching the end of his career and that will surely prompt Mourinho into moving for a forward sooner rather than later.

Icardi has shown he has the ability to become a top-class striker despite his relatively tender years, but if he were to sign, patience would be required; he looks like the kind of talent who may take a bit of time to adapt to the abrasive nature of English football.