Chelsea Transfer News: Raphael Varane Wanted, Douglas Costa Hails Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has reportedly made Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane his "No. 1 summer target," according to John Cross of the Mirror, who writes that "Chelsea will back their manager to the hilt to try to get him" after the Blues crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday.

The manner of Chelsea's loss was surprising, with former Blues star David Luiz and Thiago Silva notching headed goals to thrust Paris Saint-Germain through to the quarter-finals via away goals. Captain John Terry and partner Gary Cahill were unable to deal with the aerial threat from corners, highlighted by Squawka:

Mourinho was the man who took Varane to Madrid and remains a huge admirer of the player. Alongside emerging Chelsea talent Kurt Zouma, the Portuguese believes Varane can be considered one of "the best two young central defenders in the world," reported by Ben Jefferson of the Express.

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Terry has never been the quickest or the most agile, and at 34 years old, his quality is bound to be questioned. He remains an important component for Chelsea—he is Mourinho's greatest leader—but the club will need alternatives soon. Zouma's emergence has been aided by Cahill's poor form, as the former Bolton Wanderers stalwart continues to be exposed by direct, pacey forwards.

Varane has enjoyed greater first-team action this season, largely down to Pepe and Sergio Ramos picking up injuries. The former is set to ink a new contract, per Jose Felix Diaz of Marca, suggesting Carlo Ancelotti has no plans of dropping him any time soon. Varane has shown he is capable at the top level and impressed at last summer's World Cup, so the lure of first-team football may eventually prove too strong.

Cross suggests Madrid would want in excess of £30 million to let him go. Mourinho would most likely have to sacrifice one of his current stars to make this happen—Chelsea have little wiggle room because of financial fair play—so it appears there are obstacles to overcome if this is going to happen.

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One player who has made his ambitions clear is Shakhtar Donetsk's Douglas Costa, who recently told Marcus Alves of FourFourTwo that he wants to work with Mourinho:

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I’d be really interested in moving to Chelsea—not only because everything Willian tells me about the club, but because I think that I’d be able to achieve everything I want having someone like Jose Mourinho by my side.

Since I left Brazil, I have worked with a marvellous coach (Mircea Lucescu) and got an idea of how much influence such a good professional can have in your football. Now I think it’s time to try a new philosophy and I’m sure that Mourinho's is the best around. He’s always fighting for trophies.

"

Costa would offer Chelsea another rapid, versatile attacking-midfield player. Mourinho's options are stacked in this department, however, particularly after the January signing of Juan Cuadrado. Costa's buyout clause is around €50 million, per Alves, an excessive amount when you consider it's unlikely he would hold down a first-team place at Stamford Bridge.

His qualities can be seen below:

Varane is certainly the more obvious fit. Mourinho's admiration could help push the transfer through, although it remains to be seen whether Madrid will consider selling a player who has the potential to be one of the best.

Terry's quality isn't going to last forever, something highlighted on Wednesday. Zouma has quickly underlined his potential, and finding him a long-term partner may turn out to be Mourinho's key task of the summer.