Chelsea reportedly pursue sensational loan moves

Linked with a number of strikers at the moment, Chelsea are reportedly weighing up sensational loan deals for Karim Benzema and Roberto Firmino. 

With Nicolas Jackson in action at Afcon and Christopher Nkunku still injured, the Blues are light in forward areas with Cole Palmer their top goalscorer this season with nine goals across all competitions. 

According to the Telegraph, Chelsea are therefore looking to explore potential loan deals with the two Saudi Pro League strikers in the January transfer window - just six months after both players moved to the Middle East. 

Benzema left Real Madrid, for whom he scored 354 goals in 648 appearances to join Al-Ittihad on a free last summer, and he has since hit 15 goals in 24 games for his new club. 

Firmino, though, has not made the same impact since signing a £300,000-a-week contract at Al-Ahli following his Liverpool exit. Despite netting a hat-trick on his debut, Firmino has subsequently endured a terrible goal drought - failing to add to his tally in his 18 subsequent appearances, a run of form that has seen him lose his place in the starting XI. 

Both loan moves are reportedly being explored, although the Blues also retain an interest in Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Brentford's Ivan Toney.