By Matt Barlow

PUBLISHED: 17:00 EST, 25 December 2012 | UPDATED: 17:55 EST, 25 December 2012


Chelsea are preparing to join the dash for Spain and Barcelona striker David Villa as Rafa Benitez seeks firepower to complement Fernando Torres.

Having restored the goal instinct of Torres within a month of taking over from Roberto Di Matteo, Benitez is keen to provide more support and cover for his only established centre forward.

Target: Chelsea want Fernando Torres's compatriot David Villa to move from Barcelona on loan

Target: Chelsea want Fernando Torres's compatriot David Villa to move from Barcelona on loan

Bayer Leverkusen's versatile young striker Andre Schurrle remains a serious target but Villa is available, possibly on a loan deal until the end of the season, which means he would not interfere with Chelsea's long-term pursuit of Radamel Falcao.

Benitez accepts it will be difficult and expensive to prise the Colombia striker Falcao from Atletico Madrid next month but this swoop — or even a move for Newcastle United's Demba Ba — may be more achievable in the summer.

Villa provides an attractive short-term solution for Chelsea. At 31, Spain's record goalscorer does not fit their ideal profile for young players with their best years ahead of them but he is fading from favour at the Nou Camp and knows how to dovetail with Torres after their years together at international level.

Villa is understood to earn 110,000 a week, which is near the top of the Stamford Bridge pay structure but not out of reach.

He can operate at centre forward if Torres is unavailable or play from wide either side, giving Benitez a valuable option in his quest to rotate his support strikers and keep them fresh.

Arsenal are among other clubs interested in Villa, who has not started a La Liga game for Barcelona since mid-November, but the Champions League will not provide any incentive for the striker because he is already cup-tied in that competition. However, he would be free to play for Chelsea in the Europa League.

Support: Villa could play with Torres or replace him up front if he needs a rest

Support: Villa could play with Torres or replace him up front if he needs a rest

Daniel Sturridge's proposed move to Liverpool means that Chelsea must recruit in January.

The back-up option is to recall Romelu Lukaku from West Bromwich Albion, although it is widely agreed that the best thing for the teenager's continued development is to spend the rest of the season at the Hawthorns.

Radar: Demba Ba and Bayer Leverkusen's Andre Schurrle are both other options for Rafa Benitez

Winger Victor Moses played as a centre forward for the last 23 minutes of the 8-0 romp against Aston Villa on Sunday but he has been named in the Nigeria squad for the Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria have also selected John Mikel Obi and have asked players to report to a training camp in Portugal on Thursday.

Eden Hazard featured at centre forward in a disastrous experiment away to Juventus in the Champions League. Chelsea lost 3-0, a defeat which virtually sealed their fate in the competition, and Di Matteo was sacked a few hours later.

Didn't work out: Eden Hazard played up front for Chelsea against Juventus

Didn't work out: Eden Hazard played up front for Chelsea against Juventus

The comments below have not been moderated.

We don't won't old strikers, go to Arsenal. They need experience.

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MrOlutomi, London,.. Most of those young players arsenal play have been players they have got from other clubs, they might be cheap but most wouldn't get near Chelsea's first team. What have those arsenal players won lately. You are more than welcome to go and support another club.

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Bring Torres' fluffer to the Bridge! Only 110K per week to keep Fernando fully erect at all times!

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What happened to arsenal signing him, oh wait, they aren't, I'm in shock.

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let's not forget the deadly proven combination of mata and villa at valencia. from a footballing perspective, it makes perfect sense. chelsea need to buy a proper no 9 and if falcao isn't coming in the summer, there's no one available of that kind of quality apart from villa on loan. villa also has proven that he can work with mata and torres which could make the move work.

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Good option. Villa and Torres have played together and understand each other. Chelsea needs a second striker, now that Sturridge is going.

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its unlikely, but if it would happen- we would have the two spanish no 9s who basically scored goals which won spain world and european trophies. would be amazing to have these two as options!

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This deal wont happen, as everybody knows Chelsea have a policy about signing players who are 30yrs+, we have players like Lamps, Cole, and Terry who are not getting offerd new contracts because of them being at 30+ age barrier, again DM talking trash, does not supprise me as they have so much hatred for Chelsea. Falcou will be the one who main joins us in Jan, sources have said that Chelsea representives are in Spain trying to thrash out a deal. If Falcou does not come than we will persue Higiuan, Pato, or Diamo. Willnan could be our 1st signing as well as a Cetral defender. CFC FOR LIFE!!

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FAKESCLUSIVE!!

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@Vtomz Do you realise how expensive those players were? They aren't bargins and with better negotiating chelsea could of got those players much cheaper

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