Chelsea could have a real opportunity to sign a truly elite centre-forward before the transfer window closes.

Al-Ittihad striker Karim Benzema, who left Real Madrid last summer, is a player who Chelsea are interested in, according to ESPN.

And now a report from AFP has claimed that the 36-year-old has asked to leave Al-Ittihad temporarily.

A short-term deal could work out well for Chelsea. They could bring in Benzema for the rest of the season before signing a more long-term option like Napoli’s Victor Osimhen in the summer.

Benzema has not done badly in Saudi Arabia this term, scoring nine goals in 15 league appearances, but it is clear that he is not happy there.

Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty ImagesKarim Benzema asks to leave Al-Ittihad amid interest from Chelsea

If Benzema really is trying to force his way out of Al-Ittihad, then Chelsea have to take advantage of the situation and snap him up.

In the words of former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique, Benzema is someone who is “world class”, even at his age.

Benzema is playing in Saudi Arabia now, which does not have the strongest football division, but let us not forget that he was able to score more than 30 goals last season.

For Chelsea, Champions League football may just be out of sight. Mauricio Pochettino‘s men are currently ninth in the Premier League table.

However, Europa League qualification does not seem impossible. A forward of Benzema’s calibre, then, could perhaps be the difference between Chelsea earning European football or not.

A lot still needs to happen if the former France international is to join the Blues. According to Fabrizio Romano, Saudi Pro League bosses are desperate for him to remain in the division.

But there is no harm in Chelsea trying to sign Benzema before the transfer market shuts.