Chelsea line up Benteke bid

Christian Benteke is a surprise transfer target for Chelsea.

According to a report in Metro the Crystal Palace striker is being considered as a replacement for Diego Costa who seems certain to move on at the end of the season.

Palace paid Liverpool £30m in the summer for Benteke but despite scoring 10 goals in the Premier League there has been signs that all isn’t well between the player and the club.

New Palace boss Sam Allardyce won’t consider any January offers for their top scorer but an end of season bid would be a different matter.

Chelsea have resigned themselves to losing Costa at the end of the season with the striker looking for a massive wage rise after receiving an offer to move to China.

Antonio Conte has drawn up a list of potential replacements with Benteke, experienced at international level and in the Premier League, one of the leading contenders.