Chelsea target £16m Spanish international as Lampard replacement

Chelsea are being linked with a move for highly-rated Spanish midfielder Benat.

The Daily Star claims the Blues have lined-up the four-cap international as a replacement for England midfielder Frank Lampard, who is out-of-contract at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

Spanish publication AS goes on to claim that the west London outfit have already had an £8 million offer rejected by Real Betis for the player, but a source close to the Blues told the paper that owner Roman Abramovich is willing to spend much more to bring the 25-year-old to the club.

Chelsea may have to double that initial bid to land the former Athletic Bilbao man however, with The Daily Star claiming that Benat has a £16 million release clause in his current contract at the Benito Villamarín.

Interim manager Rafa Benitez has already made one addition this month, with striker Demba Ba making an instant impact for the Blues after his move from Newcastle last month. The Senegalese star scored twice on debut in a 5-1 FA Cup win against Southampton at the weekend.

Benat could be the next big name to join Chelsea, and he’d play alongside compatriots Juan Mata and Fernando Torres if he were to arrive on the King’s Road.