“My future is clear”: Chelsea given clear message before facing apparent transfer target

Chelsea face Real Madrid for the first time in over 20 years on Tuesday evening, as the two sides meet in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final in the Spanish capital. 

Both sides are in the midst of hectic schedules of late, with Chelsea still in the FA Cup and facing a battle for the top four in the Premier League, while Real are still in a title race with just five games remaining.

In the build up to the game, speculation has also built over the future of Madrid defender Raphael Varane, with Chelsea being heavily linked with a move for the Frenchman.

Despite masterminding 16 clean sheets in his 21 games in charge of the Blues so far, it appears that manager Thomas Tuchel is still keen on bolstering his defensive options ahead of a potential title challenge next term.

Varane is reportedly top of the club’s list of targets for the summer, and Madrid are apparently open to selling him this year, rather than losing him for free when his contract expires next summer.

Real Madrid’s last Champions league triumph was in 2018 against Liverpool.

The World Cup winner has done little to detract from the speculation linking him with West London.

When asked about his future, Varane told reporters “My future is clear.

“I am focussed on the end of the season,” he continued, speaking to the press ahead of Tuesday’s game.

“We are in a very intense and key moment.

“The message to the fans is that I am 100% committed to the team.”

Varane is one of a number of Madrid players who could win their fifth Champions League title if they can navigate their way past Chelsea and then triumph in the final in Istanbul in May.

“We have the dream of finishing the season well.”

With such speculation surrounding him of late, Varane will be keen to impress against his apparent admirers on Tuesday.