Chelsea reportedly believe Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane is "a wiser choice" than Everton's John Stones but know they are "unlikely" to ever sign the youngster.
That's according to the Daily Mail's Neil Ashton, who noted the centre-back was manager Jose Mourinho's "principal target" on arriving at Stamford Bridge, but the Frenchman is tied down on a long-term deal with Los Blancos.
The Blues made repeated attempts to sign Stones in the summer, but as good as the Englishman is and will likely become, Varane has even greater experience and potential. Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez is a fan:
Raphael Varane will become ridiculously good.