'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAf/2gAIAQEAAAAAgyf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA/9oACAECEAAAAH//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAEDEAAAAE//xAAhEAABAwQBBQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEABESIQYTImFx0f/aAAgBAQABPwCM1EWoR47GXaR1VqsRY+vIo8bYcJXik5bvv7X/xAAZEQACAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgAEElH/2gAIAQIBAT8AtjDKF4J//8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIhA//aAAgBAwEBPwDKrT//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Reports from Stamford Bridge suggest that Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma could be on his way away from the London club with Jose Mourinho now looking to bolster his defence by bringing in the highly rated Raphaël Varane from Real Madrid. Kurt Zouma who has been widely regarded as the heir to John Terry’s throne, is now linked to a move to Serie A with Inter Milan being the most favoured destination.
Zouma arrived at Stamford Bridge this summer after he was purchased from St Etienne in January 2014. Even though he has impressed highly in the handful of performances that he has got, he has found it hard to cement his place in the starting line-up. A stint at Inter Milan would be an ideal opportunity for him to impress.
Mourinho gave Varane the breakthrough in his days with Real Madrid, and left more experienced players like Pepe on the bench. The young Frenchman has however found it hard to get first-team action under Carlo Ancelotti, who has preferred to field Pepe and Sergio Ramos as his center backs.
Chelsea in competition with Manchester United for Varane signature
Inter Milan have already expressed an interest in Zouma as they look forward to a six-month loan deal. The former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is said to be an admirer of Kurt Zouma and Chelsea look likely to sanction the move if they can land Varane this month.
Manchester United are also reportedly looking forward to land Varane but the lack of a secure place in the Champions League makes this move highly improbable in January, and Chelsea are looking forward to grab the opportunity.
However, despite being linked with a £20m move to the Premier League, Varane is looking forward to fight for his place at Real Madrid.
He said: "I'm 100 per cent with the team and feeling happy. I have a contract until 2020.
"I'm calm and when I've played, I've tried to do well. Sergio Ramos and Pepe play more than me, but I try to do the best I can."
