Chelsea news and gossip

Here is Monday’s news and gossip concerning Chelsea:

The Blues have made an enquiry regarding Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to the Daily Express.

The tentative bid has been made to try and tempt the Frenchman away from the Bernabeu due to the competition in Rafa Benitez’s squad.

Their desire to land Varane may increase after Everton director Jon Woods issued a statement reiterating that John Stones will be going nowhere this summer, the Guardian report.

The 21-year-old has been the subject of three bids from the Premier League champions, but Woods does not expect any movement in this window.

“I won’t sell him, Bill [Kenwright] won’t sell him, because there aren’t many days to go,” the statement read.

Jose Mourinho has compared new signing Pedro with footballing great Diego Maradona following his goal and assist on his debut against West Brom, the Daily Express report.

The former Barcelona man opened the scoring before setting up Diego Costa for the Blues’ second, and Mourinho was full of praise.

“He wasn’t quite Maradona but he was close,” he said.

Juventus are expecting to announce that they have completed the signing of Juan Cuadrado later today, according to the Daily Star.

The Colombian will join the Italian champions on loan for the season.

Finally, the club have been able to announce that Kenedy has completed his move to Stamford Bridge after his work permit was approved, the Daily Express report.