Chelsea target Raphael Varane as Luiz replacement

Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a move for Real Madrid youngster Raphael Varane after agreeing the sale of David Luiz to Paris Saint-Germain.

Luiz is set to join the French champions after the Blues announced they had agreed a fee with PSG for the Brazilian, thought to be in excess of £40m.

And boss Jose Mourinho is now said to be keen to link up again with Varane, having signed him for Real in 2011 and lauding him as the ‘best young central defender in the world’ earlier this year.

The 21-year-old has struggled to hold down a regular first team place under Carlo Ancelotti this season, having been hampered with a series of knee injuries.

And Mourinho may see this as his chance to bring the Frenchman to Stamford Bridge.

But Chelsea will have to move quickly if they are to secure a deal before this summer’s World Cup, which starts in Brazil in less than three weeks, with Varane having been named in Didier Deschamps’ 23-man squad.