Rumoured Raphael Varane

[Barbara 15,149]

Sell Luiz to Barca and buy him

Double whammy for Madrid. Definitely a long shot.

Zidane will have something to say on that regard. He is considered as the kid's mentor.

if there's a buyout clause, there's nothing Zidane can do. I just think that after spending 18m on Zouma, we aren't going to Varane. If we were we wouldn't have spent as much on Zouma imo because I don't see Mourinho having so many defenders younger than 21 in his team even if he's building something for the future. He's said a few times we'll be spending differently from the past because of FFP (and I also believe Roman wants to start making money out of a few players that aren't useful to us, but that we increased their value while they were here).

If we only had a CB to buy next season, I'd think we'd afford buying him by offloading Luiz, but he's one of the many supposedly targets we have. We won't get them all because Mourinho hinted enough times we won't splash money as in the past.

So how can we buy Shaw, Varane, world class striker and an occasional good deal that comes around. A lot of money will be involved in those, and selling only Luiz and adding the money we made from selling Kev and Mata doesn't seem to cover all those things. I don't feel like Chelsea is going to do something like that, but you never know.

Between Shaw and Varane, who do you think the team is going to prioritize and be willing to spend a lot? The English player - ofc.

He was signed for £8m from Lens with Zidane taking a huge interest him. Madrid did know what they were getting.

Don't think this is the real history. This was a Mourinho signing, not a Zidane signing. I'm not even sure Zidane was involved in getting players signed for Madrid 2 seasons ago when Mourinho signed him at age 18. I followed Madrid very closely that season. Mourinho was going on and on about Raphaël before and after he's signed him. Zidane only agreed and said nice things about Rapha a few months after the signing.

[didierforever 7,349]

Unless we buy those big CM names you mentioned, going for this one is a no-brainer.

But you seriously think we can get any of them?

Even if we don't get the big name CMs, we still might need to buy a CM. Rambo, matic, mvg(a 21 year old who has started 2 games!!!) are our only sure shot options for CMs for the next year with a 36 year old lamps and a mikel who can't buy a start under mou as our back up options (both of them might not be any part for that matter). Even 20mil on someone like lars bender would make more sense to me than 25mil on varane with JT, GC, DL, zouma plus kalas, ake, omerou as youth options.

[didierforever 7,349]

if there's a buyout clause, there's nothing Zidane can do. I just think that after spending 18m on Zouma, we aren't going to Varane.

He was bought for 12mil £

[Sidzeret 2,257]

if there's a buyout clause, there's nothing Zidane can do. I just think that after spending 18m on Zouma, we aren't going to Varane. If we were we wouldn't have spent as much on Zouma imo because I don't see Mourinho having so many defenders younger than 21 in his team even if he's building something for the future. He's said a few times we'll be spending differently from the past because of FFP (and I also believe Roman wants to start making money out of a few players that aren't useful to us, but that we increased their value while they were here).

If we only had a CB to buy next season, I'd think we'd afford buying him by offloading Luiz, but he's one of the many supposedly targets we have. We won't get them all because Mourinho hinted enough times we won't splash money as in the past.

So how can we buy Shaw, Varane, world class striker and an occasional good deal that comes around. A lot of money will be involved in those, and selling only Luiz and adding the money we made from selling Kev and Mata doesn't seem to cover all those things. I don't feel like Chelsea is going to do something like that, but you never know.

Between Shaw and Varane, who do you think the team is going to prioritize and be willing to spend a lot? The English player - ofc.

Don't think this is the real history. This was a Mourinho signing, not a Zidane signing. I'm not even sure Zidane was involved in getting players signed for Madrid 2 seasons ago when Mourinho signed him at age 18. I followed Madrid very closely that season. Mourinho was going on and on about Raphaël before and after he's signed him. Zidane only agreed and said nice things about Rapha a few months after the signing.

I'm not sure if things work this way, but we already have 40m from the Mata transfer. Provided we sell Luiz for, around, 35m, that leaves us enough money to cover for both Shaw and 'The Striker'.

And Varane could be that 'good deal' you mentioned.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Even if we don't get the big name CMs, we still might need to buy a CM. Rambo, matic, mvg(a 21 year old who has started 2 games!!!) are our only sure shot options for CMs for the next year with a 36 year old lamps and a mikel who can't buy a start under mou as our back up options (both of them might not be any part for that matter). Even 20mil on someone like lars bender would make more sense to me than 25mil on varane with JT, GC, DL, zouma plus kalas, ake, omerou as youth options.

Unfortunately you don't always get a chance to choose when these opportunities come up, IF it's realistic. Terry isn't getting any younger and Luiz isn't trusted by Jose so you're talking about Cahill, Zuma, Ivanovic (if he signs the new contract) and then Kalas (who wants to play football next year, so looks likely to leave in some way), Ake (who has played more at DM and Left-Back this year) and Omeruo.....and I wouldn't say any of them are as good as Varane is or could be.

[Barbara 15,149]

I'm not sure if things work this way, but we already have 40m from the Mata transfer. Provided we sell Luiz for, around, 35m, that leaves us enough money to cover for both Shaw and 'The Striker'.

And Varane could be that 'good deal' you mentioned.

I'm a huge Varane fan from the moment we signed him in RM. Mourinho literally went on and on about this boy and a few months later he was playing for us at the time. He's AMAZING I want him as much - or more - than all of you.

Don't forget that the money we did we already spent on Zouma, Salah and Matic (part of the money). We don't have 40 as you're implying we do. I'd love for him to come here, but as he has a release clause and we don't desperately need a new CB - as we do in some other positions, I agree with @didierforever that we may be signing him, but not this window. Surely, RM can offer him a new contract and take away the release clause, but it's unlikely. Carlo isn't even using him that much... so I think we'll go for him either in the winter window or in the summer of 2015.

edit: btw you were right in the Zizou thing. He hinted Mou about it, but Mourinho was absolutely enchanted by the boy. He's a real fan of his since RM signed him in 2011. And time flies, I swore that happened in 2012, but it was 2011. Gosh, I'm old.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Even if we don't get the big name CMs, we still might need to buy a CM. Rambo, matic, mvg(a 21 year old who has started 2 games!!!) are our only sure shot options for CMs for the next year with a 36 year old lamps and a mikel who can't buy a start under mou as our back up options (both of them might not be any part for that matter). Even 20mil on someone like lars bender would make more sense to me than 25mil on varane with JT, GC, DL, zouma plus kalas, ake, omerou as youth options.

Buying Varane with Luiz still on is going to be a FFP suicide.

If we sell him and get Varane, I'd be happy with the options of Matic, Rami, v.Ginkel, 36yo Lamps and Mikel in our 2 man pivot. If we switch to 4-3-3, even Oscar can play there sometimes. I definitely would not spend 20m or less on Bender(Lars or Sven) for that matter.

[Rmpr 8,977]

If he has a £25 million buy-out clause then we should sell Luiz and buy him. Simple as that.

That'd be one of the best deals in the history of football!

However, I very much doubt he has such a low buy-out clause. Real Madrid usually puts stupidly high release clauses...

[Barbara 15,149]

Unfortunately you don't always get a chance to choose when these opportunities come up, IF it's realistic. Terry isn't getting any younger and Luiz isn't trusted by Jose so you're talking about Cahill, Zuma, Ivanovic (if he signs the new contract) and then Kalas (who wants to play football next year, so looks likely to leave in some way), Ake (who has played more at DM and Left-Back this year) and Omeruo.....and I wouldn't say any of them are as good as Varane is or could be.

That'd be one of the best deals in the history of football!

However, I very much doubt he has such a low buy-out clause. Real Madrid usually puts stupidly high release clauses...

That's the point. If there's a release clause, it isn't a case of 'a chance you don't always get', as the clause is there and won't be removed unless he's offered a new contract. I don't know if there is and how much that is, but José knows exactly what's the case, as he signed him.

Shaw already has a very high price, we desperately need a striker - or even more than one (I'm not sure Mourinho is that willing to keep Lukaku). We need to start adding English players or homegrown talents to fill the EPL quota of such. I think it's unlikely for us to spend so much money at once. We'll be spending a lot between Shaw - who I honestly see coming - and a striker. Not to say the smaller signings that we do about 10-15m (Zouma, Salah, even someone as expensive as André - who I think was 18m, but as @didierforever, corrected me, I'm not the person to quote on how much we spend, lol)

[didierforever 7,349]

Buying Varane with Luiz still on is going to be a FFP suicide.

If we sell him and get Varane, I'd be happy with the options of Matic, Rami, v.Ginkel, 36yo Lamps and Mikel in our 2 man pivot. If we switch to 4-3-3, even Oscar can play there sometimes. I definitely would not spend 20m or less on Bender(Lars or Sven) for that matter.

Varane does not solve any problems that we might have. This season jose has played the underdog card, but don't think we can do that next season. We will be trying to play a possession based football but we won't have a proper no. 8 to do so With. The only proper no.8 will be SFL but don't think he can fit the high energy system at all.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

I hate FFP and 50m strikers.

[Barbara 15,149]

I hate FFP and 50m strikers.

UEFA is missing an important point about financial fairness here... or even sustainability.

There should be a ceiling of how much a player can cost and about their wages too. This thing is getting out of control and the world isn't on its best economical moment of history. As long as deals like Bale's are allowed to be done, things will escalate until we have a crack in the football market with many clubs going into bankruptcy or just being in deep debts. It makes NO sense for one single player to cost as much and to have 300k/week wages. It doesn't need to be an Einstein or whatever Economics guru to see that this won't end well if UEFA doesn't put a limit on this. It's not only how much a club can spend a spend, but even more how much one single player can cost.

[didierforever 7,349]

Unfortunately you don't always get a chance to choose when these opportunities come up, IF it's realistic. Terry isn't getting any younger and Luiz isn't trusted by Jose so you're talking about Cahill, Zuma, Ivanovic (if he signs the new contract) and then Kalas (who wants to play football next year, so looks likely to leave in some way), Ake (who has played more at DM and Left-Back this year) and Omeruo.....and I wouldn't say any of them are as good as Varane is or could be.

I agree with what u have said.

I am not against buying varane. I just think he should be 4th in the priority list. Also I agree totally with the post u made about DL being sold and varane being bought. Infact that is the perfect and probably the only scenario of this deal happening

[CHOULO19 24,332]

If Real are ready to let him go, then obviously we'll have a huge advantage to land him if we want with Jose here. 25m would be a great price for someone with so much potential if it is true.

yer get him he has scored 23 goals in on season on FM for me

That settles it then!

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Varane does not solve any problems that we might have. This season jose has played the underdog card, but don't think we can do that next season. We will be trying to play a possession based football but we won't have a proper no. 8 to do so With. The only proper no.8 will be SFL but don't think he can fit the high energy system at all.

Fair point but I think our next team will be more focussed on Hazard like Jose did with Cristiano Ronaldo at Madrid. Counter attacks is going to remain the core of our attacking principle. Also in a 4-2-3-1, the No.10 role is much more important than the No.8 role. I don't think Xabi Alonso or Khedira were proper No.8s.

[didierforever 7,349]

Fair point but I think our next team will be more focussed on Hazard like Jose did with Cristiano Ronaldo at Madrid. Counter attacks is going to remain the core of our attacking principle. Also in a 4-2-3-1, the No.10 role is much more important than the No.8 role. I don't think Xabi Alonso or Khedira were proper No.8s.

Hence came in modric!!!!! Also I seriously doubt jose would make a mistake of making us as dependent on hazard as RM were/are on CR. CR was at his peak. EH is still just 23 and some distance off CR.

[Rmpr 8,977]

That's the point. If there's a release clause, it isn't a case of 'a chance you don't always get', as the clause is there and won't be removed unless he's offered a new contract. I don't know if there is and how much that is, but José knows exactly what's the case, as he signed him.

Shaw already has a very high price, we desperately need a striker - or even more than one (I'm not sure Mourinho is that willing to keep Lukaku). We need to start adding English players or homegrown talents to fill the EPL quota of such. I think it's unlikely for us to spend so much money at once. We'll be spending a lot between Shaw - who I honestly see coming - and a striker. Not to say the smaller signings that we do about 10-15m (Zouma, Salah, even someone as expensive as André - who I think was 18m, but as @didierforever, corrected me, I'm not the person to quote on how much we spend, lol)

Well, I kind of agree, but I honestly think we can afford a new striker + Shaw + Varane (hypothetically)...

I will start with Varane: The chance of this buy-out clause being true is almost zero (imo). Real Madrid is not a dumb club by any means and they know better how to make a very tied contract. Nevertheless, to answer your question, there is indeed a buy-out clause of a certain value because it is obligatory in Spain for players to have it. But again, if it is really 25mi, I very much doubt.

Finances: Chelsea renewed Luiz contract last year and it was rumored to be 100k+/week or something. So, by signing Varane and selling Luiz by the same price, we would actually be saving money in the long term. Then next, Cole has a huge chance of leaving and he is on around 150k/week, so even if Shaw costs us 20mi, we would be recovering a bit of that over the years. And about the new striker, well, if Torres and Eto'o do leave, thats around 2mi per month in wages; which is clearly less than the new striker would make (especially if it is someone less famous like Costa). So, in the end of the day, Chelsea would finish the transfer window with an expense of 50-60mi. A big amount, but not close to the 100mi both Manchester teams will probably spend!

We dont desperately need a center-back (Zouma, Terry, Cahill, Kalas and Iva are good enough). We just really need a LB and a ST. But like TOPTB said, sometimes we have to grab nice rare opportunities whenever they appear, and I believe Varane is one of them!

EDIT: Just like I dont believe we necessarily need a CM/DLP anymore, but if a great player becomes available in the transfer window, I wouldnt see a problem if Mourinho wants him...

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Hence came in modric!!!!! Also I seriously doubt jose would make a mistake of making us as dependent on hazard as RM were/are on CR. CR was at his peak. EH is still just 23 and some distance off CR.

Ironically, he won both Copa del Rey and La Liga before Luka Modric came in and Modric pretty much struggled under Mourinho

Still dont think we are going to play possession based football.

P.s.how did we end up here from Varane?

[Eligius 121]

Zouma is a bit overrated.

He's a project. Similar to D Luiz, except Luiz is 26 and Zouma is still a teenager.

Varane on the other hand is the best young CB in the world. If chelsea is willing to pay 25m-30m for shaw, paying the release clause for varane is a no brainer.

[Alabama 1,992]

its highly ridiculous some folks here are just slating off Luiz just like that and finking Varane should be our utmost transfer target at the xpense of DLP/CM is absurd..