Chelsea could swoop in and hijack Manchester United's deal to sign Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, something they have done twice to United in recent years.
The Red Devils were odds on favourites to land Barcelona duo Cesc Fabregas and Pedro in 2014 and 2015 respectively before the Blues hijacked both deals to land the World Cup winners in successive summers.
It was an embarrassing outcome for the 20-time English champions and Chelsea should repeat the strategy in the coming weeks to land French centre-back Raphael Varane, who United have reportedly made their number one defensive target this summer.
Varane, who only has one year left on his current deal, is said to be ready for a fresh challenge after winning all there is to win with Real Madrid - clinching four Champions Leagues, three La Liga titles and one Copa del Rey amongst other things.
The Frenchman has reportedly been in talks with United in recent weeks, with our sister title the Manchester Evening News claiming that a deal for the 28-year-old understands is 'progressing slowly' as the Reds aim to recruit a centre-back this summer to partner Harry Maguire.
Given Chelsea are also in the market for a centre-half, the Blues should attempt to repeat what they managed with Fabregas and Pedro, utilising their status as champions of Europe to land an available world-class talent ahead of United.
The Reds had registered their interest in Fabregas in the summer of 2013 and thought they could land the former Arsenal man 12 months later, only for him to move to Stamford Bridge instead.
"After the week I had to take my chance, I had Manchester City, United and then I spoke to Mourinho – which I didn’t think would ever happen," Fabregas said.
"To be honest, after I left the room with Mourinho I said, ‘that’s it, I don’t need to talk to anyone else, I’m going to Chelsea.'
"What he told me, the team he wanted to make, what he thought of me, how he wanted me to play, this is what I wanted.
"On top of that it’s London and not Manchester, London was my home."
Just 12 months later, United again were convinced they had landed a Barca star, in the shape of Pedro, before Chelsea swooped in instead.
"I had offers from other English clubs - Manchester United, City and Chelsea, who were the club that more rapidly resolved my transfer and the one that showed more interest in me," Pedro said.
"I'm very happy to be at Chelsea because it's a club that, like Barca, are fighting for titles."
