London side keen to bring Belgian striker to Stamford Bridge.
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Chelsea are considering launching a summer bid for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke.
The striker has been Villa’s top performer this season despite the club languishing near the bottom of the Premier League table.
Without Benteke’s goals, Villa would almost certainly find themselves in the relegation zone but the Midlands club know they face a battle to hold on to the Belgian youngster.
Reports in recent weeks have linked Benteke with a number of top Premier League sides and Chelsea now appear ready to join the race for the player’s signature.
Chelsea’s interest comes after the club have finally ran out of patience with Fernando Torres. The Spanish striker has failed to recapture the form that persuaded the Stamford Bridge side to pay Liverpool a record £50 million for his services in the 2011 January transfer window.
The club now look set to cut their losses on Torres and are ready to bring in a fresh strike partner for January signing Demba Ba.
Chelsea were strongly linked with Atletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao but the club look set to turn their attentions to Benteke after negotiations for the Colombian striker broke down.
Villa are thought to be keen to hold on to the player but would accept a bid in the region of £15 million.
Benteke has netted 15 Premier League goals thus far this season, a return that is all the more impressive when you consider Aston Villa’s relegation struggle.