Chelsea have made an approach to sign Brentford’s tricky Algerian player Said Benrahma, according to reports.
According to Algeria’s La Gazette du Fennec, Chelsea have joined the race for the signing of Benrahma and have ‘accelerated’ their push to land him ahead of their Premier League rivals.
The report claims that the blues have held direct talks with the Algeria international and are aiming to bring him to the club in the next transfer window.
Last year, Aston Villa had a £14 million transfer bid for Benrahma turned down by his club Brentford.
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While Brentford value Benrahma at around £35.5million, Chelsea could make a cut-price offer in the hopes the Bees need the money.
And the Championship side remain in a strong negotiating position as Benrahma’s contract still has two years left to run, with also the option of a further year.
The 24-year-old winger has been one of the standout players in the Championship this campaogn with 10 goals and eight assists.
And as one of the few teams who will have money to spend this summer transfer window despite the coronavirus pandemic, Chelsea will be confident in landing their man.
The club is set to wave goodbye to Willian and Pedro this summer with both out of contract next month.
What this means is that Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic will be the only two first-team wingers for next campaign.
Arsenal and Leicester City have also been linked with a move for the midfielder, who has been vital in Brentford’s push to secure a Championship play-off place this season.
Speaking about his future last month, Benrahma told Algeria’s Le Buteur: ‘I can not complain. I have a contract with Brentford and I have to honour them properly.
‘I am now focused on my club in Brentford after it makes me happy that upscale Premier League clubs are behind me.’
