Stamford Bridge side target Villa Park ace.
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Jose Mourinho is ready to make a January move for Aston Villa forward Christian Benteke according to Abola.
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The Chelsea boss is urgently seeking a prolific forward to lead his Blues attack and has set his sights on 22 year old Belgian Benteke, who has proved himself more than capable of netting regularly in the English top tier.
Benteke’s 19 Premier League goals last term essentially kept Paul Lambert’s side from suffering relegation to the Championship and though the former Racing Genk man signed a new long term Aston Villa contract over the summer there is every chance he will push for an exit if a club of Chelsea’s stature comes calling.
Aston Villa paid £7m for Benteke 18 months ago and are now said to be looking to secure £25m for the powerful forward and that may well be a price-tag Chelsea are happy to pay.
Mourinho has seen his current quartet of striking options; Demba Ba, Andre Schurrle, Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto’o, score just four Premier League goals between them.
Chelsea’s interest in Benteke may well be further boosted by the knowledge that Benteke will not be cup tied from Champions League action.