Man City hopeful of beating Chelsea to La Liga hitman

Manchester City are reportedly hopeful of beating Chelsea to the signing of France international striker Karim Benzema.

The Premier League outfit, who currently sit six points behind surprise league leaders Leicester City in third spot, are set to go head-to-head with the defending English champions over the Real Madrid forward in the January transfer window.

The 28-year-old, who cost the La Liga giants up to €41m back in 2009 from Lyon, has scored an impressive 12 goals in just 14 appearances in all competitions for Rafa Benitez’s side so far this season.

However reports suggest the recent scandal involving Benzema in the Matthieu Valbuena sex tape affair has rocked his current situation at the Bernabeu, with a perceived lack of support from his teammates at the club pushing him towards a move away from Spain next month.