Chelsea transfer news: Blues backed to sign Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema in January with Liverpool second favourites

Chelsea have been backed to sign Karim Benzema before the end of the month with a flurry of bets placed making the Blues odds-on favourites to capture the Real Madrid star.

According to Oddschecker, Benzema, the striker, is now 1/2 favourite to join Chelsea in January, with the odds tumbling over the past few days from as far out as 7/1.

Seventy one per cent of all bets in the market for Benzema’s next club have been placed on Chelsea, while the odds on the 31-year-old leaving Real Madrid in January have fallen from 6/1 to 4/9.

Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek said: “Chelsea look in dire need of a new striker. Barring the two goals in the FA Cup at the weekend, Alvaro Morata looks lost, and they can’t continue to rely on an injury prone Olivier Giroud.

“Benzema has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, and this could be just the stage for him.

“With the recent betting activity on the Frenchman’s next club, someone is either in the know or simply putting two and two together, as the Blues search for a striker.”

Chelsea are not just leading the way for Benzema – the odds suggest they are the only team really in for him.

Nonetheless, the market indicates Liverpool are second favourites for the former Lyon star, with Jurgen Klopp’s side at 25/1 to sign him. Manchester United, Tottenham, West Ham, Arsenal, and PSG round off the other teams in the market.

Benzema has enjoyed something of a rejuvenation this season after a tough 2017/18 campaign, playing all of Real’s LaLiga matches and scoring 12 goals in 27 appearances across all competitions.