Chelsea ready to sign superstar striker – who has already trolled Arsenal fans with 'clowns' comment: report

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Chelsea are prepared to bring a new striker to Stamford Bridge who has already endeared himself to Blues fans – by insulting Arsenal.

Though neither club considers the other their primary enemies, there's no love lost between the London rivals, who have consistently met in finals over the past few years. The Gunners have bettered Chelsea in recent FA Cup clashes, though Arsenal were battered 4-1 in Baku's 2019 Europa League showpiece.

The touchpaper could be lit once more, too, with the west Londoners targeting a star who once upset touchy Gooners over rumours he could be about to head to the Emirates Stadium.

Ashley Cole in action for Chelsea against former club Arsenal in 2008.

There's no love lost between Chelsea and Arsenal (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to The Telegraph, attentions at the Bridge are turning to a striker, with the possibility of former Ballon d'Or winner, Karim Benzema, completing a short-term switch to the Premier League.

The French frontman is said not to be enjoying his time in Saudi Arabia particular, having been left out of Al-Ittihad training camps following his high-profile and surprise exit from the Bernabeu over the summer. Benzema is no stranger to the Premier League rumour mill either, having been linked with Arsenal consistently during his pomp at the top of the European game.

The ex-Real Madrid striker hit out at rumours linking him with Arsene Wenger's side in 2015, branding those who believed he'd actually move to the Gunners as "clowns". 

Karim Benzema of France poses during the official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 portrait session on November 17, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Karim Benzema is linked with Chelsea, years after insulting Arsenal (Image credit: Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Plenty of fans took exception to that at a time in which Arsenal were struggling to sign a top-calibre centre-forward – with that summer seeing Wenger miss out on his No.1 target and settle for a transfer window in which only Petr Cech joined (from Chelsea, in fact).

The 36-year-old is valued by Transfermarkt at €15 million.

More Chelsea stories

Chelsea are ready to rival Manchester City and Barcelona for a Brazilian teenage starlet who has been likened to Lionel Messi.

Chelsea are also eyeing a striker who is scoring plenty of goals for La Liga surprise package Girona.

And the Blues have joined the race to sign a defender who has been likened to Raphael Varane.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.