Jose Mourinho is continuing to keep tabs on the situation of Raphael Varane at Real Madrid.
The Portuguese was in charge at Real Madrid when Varane arrived from French club Lens in the summer of 2011, instantly recognising his potential and throwing him into first team action.
Varane is now struggling for regular first team football under Mourinho's successor Carlo Ancelotti, with Pepe and Sergio Ramos ahead of him in the pecking order.
According to French sports daily L'Equipe, Mourinho is well aware of Varane's frustration at the Bernabeu and is keeping a close eye on his situation ahead of a potential summer swoop.
The Chelsea manager would not find Real Madrid to be willing sellers, with the French defender central to their future plans.
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Indeed, Varane has been told to remain patient by Real Madrid Castilla coach Zinedine Zidane only recently.
But it remains to be seen whether the young centre-back heeds Zidane's words or is tempted by Chelsea and Mourinho.
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