Chelsea transfer news and rumours: Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah exits set to finance move for Real Madrid's Raphael Varane

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Jose Mourinho is believed to be plotting a surprise move for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane in a move that could be funded by further Chelsea departures. The big sales of David Luiz, Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku has stood the Blues in good stead financially, and a move for Varane would certainly add world class talent to a back-four that has shown signs it may not be as dominant as was thought earlier in the season.

Mourinho is a big fan of the France international having managed him during his tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu, and he would add to the current options of John Terry, Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma – who made his first Premier League start in last weekend’s 2-0 win over Newcastle.

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Reports suggest that any move for Varane would be funded by the sales of Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah, with the latter close to a move to Besiktas after the Turkish club confirmed they are negotiating a transfer. The Evening Standard reports that Salah is the prime transfer target for Besiktas, with Nathan Ake also set to move on loan for the rest of the season. Salah joined the Blues from Basle for £11m in January 2013 but has started just nine games and looks to have no future at Stamford Bridge with the likes of Eden Hazard and Oscar in sublime form.

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Schurrle could still have a future at the Bridge but there is interest coming from Germany that could see the attacking midfielder return to his homeland in the coming weeks. Schurrle started the 3-0 FA Cup win over Watford earlier this month but he was hauled off at half-time along with being replaced at the break in the previous match against Southampton, and the German was left out of the squad altogether for the win against Newcastle. Wolfsburg is the most likely destination for Schurrle, although a move to Borussia Dortmund could develop after the Bundesliga side expressed an interest in the 24-year-old.

Chelsea youngster Islam Feruz also looks to be on his way out of the club after a move to Cardiff City fell through. The 19-year-old forward spent the first half of the season with Greek side OFI side Crete and despite initially being reluctant to join the Bluebirds, he spent the week training with the Championship club. However, manager Russell Slade confirmed that the club will not be looking to sign him, and instead a move to strugglers Blackpool appears to be on the cards according to the Daily Mail.

Chelsea have also been given hope of landing Germany international Marco Reus in the summer, and could look to use Schurrle to structure a deal with Borussia Dortmund should he remain at the club for the rest of the season. The Blues are competing with Real Madrid and Manchester United for the 25-year-old, who has a buy-out clause of £20m in his current contract, and the Evening Standard reports that the Dortmund hierarchy are beginning to realise they may not be able to hold on to Reus in the long-term. Chief executive Jans-Joachim Watzke said: "I can understand Marco. He first wants to play again and then he wants to see which direction to take. I have a legitimate hope that he will stay for the long term. If not, it is something we will have to accept."