Mourinho hoping to seal Benzema Real deal to bolster attack

Champions League outsiders Chelsea (4/1) are reportedly lining up a move for Real Madrid front man Karim Benzema, as they look to shake up their strike force in the summer. They would face competition form Manchester United, Arsenal and PSG for his signature, however.

Jose Mourinho currently has flop Fernando Torres, ageing Samuel Eto’o and quality-lacking Demba Ba on his books at Stamford Bridge, and has publicly hinted that a centre forward is top of his transfer wish.

Between the trio, they have managed 29 goals in 99 appearances in all competitions, and it is understandable why Mourinho has been frustrated, as he may finish the campaign without a trophy.

Chelsea are currently in the Champions league semis, where they prepare their second leg at home to Real’s city rivals Atletico, but are slight outsiders at evens to qualify for their third-consecutive European final. They are also just third-favourites now to win the Premier League at 14/1.

Benzema, 26, has impressed this season so far for Real, since the sale of former clubmate Gonzalo Higuain to Napoli, and the Frenchman has played in virtually every game. He has scored five goals fewer than the three Chelsea strikers collectively, and in just under half the matches.

Madrid stand in a great position this campaign, as they have already claimed the Copa del Rey, are in a good position to win La Liga (7/2), and saw off Bayern Munich 5-0 on aggregate in the Champions League to reach the finals.

The Spanish giants are reportedly set to spend big for next season as well, with Liverpool’s Luis Suarez and and Sergio Aguero of Manchester City on their radar, and so the sale of Benzema would free up a lot of resources.

Benzema, meanwhile, will likely lead his country from the front at the World Cup in Brazil, and is a 40/1 shot to be tournament top scorer. France face a straight-forward Group E, with includes Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras, and are odds-on favourites both to top their pool at 8/11, and qualify to the knockout stages at 1/5.