Chelsea keen on signing 31-year-old defender as replacement for Thiago Silva: Reports

Chelsea are allegedly interested in roping in Manchester United defender Raphael Varane to fill the potential void left by Thiago Silva's exit at the end of the season.

Earlier last month, Silva confirmed in an emotional video that he will leave the west London club at the end of the current deal. The 39-year-old centre-back helped the Blues win their second UEFA Champions League trophy and has made 154 overall appearances so far.

Now, according to Fichajes.net, Chelsea have earmarked Varane as a top summer transfer target. They regard the Manchester United star as the perfect candidate to offer experience and solidity to their backline.

However, the Blues are likely to face tough competition for Varane, who will be free after the end of his Red Devils contract. Both Juventus and Al-Nassr are thought to be keen to snap up the ex-Real Madrid star.

Varane, who is likely to demand high wages, has proved to be quite injury-prone at Manchester United. The 31-year-old has started 81 of his 93 total appearances for his club, registering two goals along the way.

Should the Frenchman join Chelsea in the future, he could be quite a risky signing for them. He would likely serve as a backup to the likes of Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, and Wesley Fofana too.

Cole Palmer backs Chelsea star to shine

After his team's 2-1 win at Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday (May 15), Cole Palmer backed Christopher Nkunku to impress next season. He told reporters (h/t Yahoo Sports):

"Everyone knows his quality, even from Leipzig, before he came here. He's been unlucky with injuries, but if he can get firing and get fit, you saw what he can do out there. I think next season everyone will see how good he actually is."

Nkunku, who scored the Blues' second goal against Brighton after coming on as a substitute, has sustained knee, hip, and hamstring injuries this term so far. He has scored thrice in 13 matches for his team so far.

A Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) academy graduate, Nkunku was arguably one of the best players in the Bundesliga prior to leaving in a £52 million switch. The 26-year-old French forward scored 58 goals and registered 29 assists in his last 88 overall games for RB Leipzig.