CHELSEA are reportedly lining up sensational transfer moves for Karim Benzema or Roberto Firmino to solve their striker problems.
The Blues are struggling for goals with Nicolas Jackson at Afcon and Christopher Nkunku injured.
Karim Benzema is wanted by ChelseaGetty
Roberto Firmino is also a target for the BluesGetty
Cole Palmer is the club’s top goalscorer with nine goals in all competitions so far this season – including the winner against Fulham on Saturday.
But now, according to The Telegraph, Chelsea are eyeing shock loan swoops for two Saudi Pro League strikers – just six months after the pair moved to the Middle East.
Benzema, 36, scored an incredible 354 goals in 648 appearances across 14 seasons with Real Madrid.
The Frenchman won 25 trophies at the Bernabeu, including five Champions League crowns.
But he left Los Blancos last summer to head to Saudi Arabia, signing for Al-Ittihad on a free transfer.
Benzema has 15 goals in 24 appearances for the Saudi club.
Firmino, meanwhile, is not enjoying the same success since his Saudi switch.
The 32-year-old penned a three-year contract at Al-Ahli until 2026 following his Liverpool exit.
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
The Brazilian scored a hat-trick on his debut but has not added a single goal in his 18 appearances since.
Firmino has just two goals against Chelsea in 16 appearances for Liverpool – with both strikes coming in the 2019-20 Premier League season.
Ironically, Benzema has triple the number of goals against the Blues.
And those six goals have come in just six games – three Champions League knockout ties in the last three years.
Benzema grabbed a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge before his crucial goal in the home leg of the 2022 quarter-finals – as Real dumped out the defending champions on their way to glory.
Nkunku joined in the summer from RB Leipzig in a £56million deal but has played just four times for his new club due to injuries.
Jackson is on eight goals from 23 games since his £30m arrival – three of which came in the chaotic win at Tottenham.
Chelsea have also been linked with Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney.
But the Napoli hitman is likely to cost more than £100m while Toney looks set to stay put at Brentford until the end of the season as he prepares to come back from his betting ban.