Mourinho reveals he stole Raphael Varane from under Manchester United's nose

Mourinho with Varane at Real Madrid

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said he bought defender Raphael Varane in 2011 at Real Madrid despite the Frenchmen having 'one foot at Manchester United’. Varane was largely believed to have been secured by the English giants but eventually ened up signing for the Spanish outfit. The Old Trafford based had signed Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers earlier in the window.

Zidane had then revealed that he was instumental in convincing the French youngster to choose Real Madrid and believed he had the world at his feet.

“Varane had one foot at Manchester United but Real Madrid are very strong and Rapha came to us.” Mourinho said.

Mourinho, who won the La Liga title with Madrid in the 2011-12 season, has said that he was impressed with the skills displayed by Varane, when he saw a DVD of him that was given to him club legend Zinedine Zidane.

'I was on holiday and in Madrid. Zinedine Zidane arrived with a DVD and I thought, "That player, with two years' work with us, would be fantastic". he added.

The 51-year old Portuguese manager, who returned to Stamford Bridge for a second stint last year, has also added that he tried signing the centre back for Chelsea in the summer but since the 21-year old had signed a fresh contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, he could not move to the London club.

'I like Varane, but everybody knows that he will stay at Real Madrid.'