Benitez Battles Rodgers for Prolific French Striker – Report

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez will attempt to beat his former club Liverpool to the signature of Bafetimbi Gomis as both clubs attempt to sign the Lyon striker.

A report on French television station Canal + stated that the two Premier League sides are currently competing to sign a striker who has helped Lyon to a fantastic start to the campaign as they currently find themselves level on points with leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

Sky Sports has also reported that there is genuine interest from Liverpool and Chelsea, with both clubs desperate to strengthen their attacking options as they look to turn around their seasons.

Liverpool have just two senior striker currently at the club in Fabio Borini and Luis Suarez and, with the Italian injured, Rodgers has been forced to play Jonjo Shelvey as a make shift forward.

Benitez has also discovered a lack of options at Chelsea with Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge the only senior strikers on the books. After failing to win the Club World Cup in Japan there have been suggestions that money will be made available during the January transfer window.

Gomis has also admitted that he could leave in the New Year after club president Jean-Michel Aulas suggested that he may look to cash-in on the striker in January.

"I have heard it, the president said I will get transferred or will renew my contract before the end of the January transfer window," said Gomis.

The 27-year-old has already scored 10 league goals this season, making it the seventh consecutive season that he has reached double figures in Ligue 1, playing for Saint-Etienne and Lyon.

The France international would certainly add something different to Liverpool and Chelsea as he has a commanding physical presence that often sees him bullying defenders.

With Lyon keen to reduce their wage bill, there have been suggestions that the French side will be keen to do business once the transfer window opens on January 1.