Out-of-favour Liverpool forward Christian Benteke has emerged as a surprise target for Chelsea.
The £32.5 million summer signing from Aston Villa has been written off as an expensive flop in some quarters after a troublesome first campaign at Anfield in which he started just 20 games.
However, the Belgian international’s stock remains fairly untainted in the English game, with The Times suggesting that 2014/15 Premier League title winners Chelsea are monitoring the imposing striker’s situation.
The London club finished a disappointing 10th last season and as such new manager Antonio Conte will look to overhaul his squad this summer.
Everton star Romelu Lukaku is believed to be the former Juventus boss’ first choice striking option after signalling his desire to leave Goodison Park in the coming months, but Benteke is reportedly being considered as a cut-price alternative to the £65 million-rated Blues striker.
Chelsea would expect to pay much less than the fee that Liverpool paid for the the 25-year-old flop, who currently finds himself on the periphery of Jurgen Klopp’s plans.