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Chelsea have edged ahead of both Manchester United and PSG in the race to sign Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.
The World Cup winner is widely expected to leave Spain this summer, having turned down the offer off a contract extension which is on less favourable terms than his current deal.
And with a deal to sign David Alaba on a free transfer from Bayern Munich virtually concluded, and the need to fund their summer transfer activity. Real are now ready to let the Frenchman leave without a fight.
Although United have been heavily linked with him, it ow looks as if rivals Chelsea could be ready to out-bid them, and are prepared to pay the €70 million (£61 million) that the La Liga side want for him.
Thomas Tuchel has identified him as the ideal man to strengthen the centre of his defence at Stamford Bridge.
During his time in Spain Varane has won four Champions Leagues, three league titles, the Spanish Cup, and four Club World Cups.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.