Reports indicate that Chelsea has declined the opportunity to secure the services of former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema before the closure of the January transfer window. Benzema, eager to depart Al-Ittihad within a year of his lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League, has been presented to various clubs in the Premier League and across Europe, including Arsenal and Manchester United.
While Chelsea has been approached with the prospect of adding Benzema to their squad, The Athletic suggests that the club’s strategic focus is to ‘prioritize emerging elite talent.’ This decision reflects a deliberate move towards nurturing and integrating promising players into their ranks.
Amidst this transfer scenario, uncertainty looms over Conor Gallagher’s future, with Chelsea potentially considering the option of selling the midfielder before the window’s closure on Thursday at 11 pm. Additionally, Chelsea has engaged in talks regarding a potential deal for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran. Although the club was previously linked with the 20-year-old earlier in the month, Villa is expected to seek a substantial profit for the player they acquired in an £18 million deal from MLS side Chicago Fire last summer.
A complicating factor for Chelsea in negotiations with Duran is his current sidelining due to a hamstring injury. This injury adds an extra layer of complexity to the potential deal, raising questions about the timing and feasibility of bringing Duran into the Chelsea squad.