Chelsea Keen on Signing Raphael Varane After Joao Miranda Snub

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is set to reignite his interest in Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane after missing out on Atletico Madrid centre-back Joao Miranda.

According to the Express, the Blues boss is now keen to be reunited with his former player Varane, whom he signed during his stint as Real Madrid manager from French second division club Lens.

This interest in the defender has resurfaced due to Miranda's snub post Chelsea's £20m bid to land the defender. The Atletico player is keen to remain with the La Liga champions and has rejected the offers, despite his current employers willing to let him leave.

Meanwhile, Mourinho has been a big admirer of the French defender, and has in the past made his admiration public. He feels that the young Frenchman is the best young defender in the world, and is almost close to being the best.

"I think he is the best young central defender in the world. Already I think he's the best," Mourinho said, as quoted on Sky Sports.

Varane has found it hard to get regular game time at Real with Pepe and Sergio Ramos ahead of him as the first-choice central defenders. However, Carlo Ancelotti did show faith in him when he started ahead of Pepe for Real's Champions League final game against city rivals Atletico.

It is also claimed that the 21-year-old defender has demanded fresh terms from his current employers as he is not happy with the contract he is currently on. And this has led to people suggesting that he could be available for a transfer if Real do not adhere to his wishes. The player would welcome a re-union with his former boss Mourinho, whom he has referred to as 'a second father' in the past.

The Chelsea boss will be thinking of the future and could be lining up Varane as a long-term replacement for current centre-back and Captain John Terry.