Karim Benzema looks set to hand Chelsea a boost towards any chance of signing Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid star picked up a knock while on international duty with France this month and will now miss the World Cup.
His first full training session in Qatar was abruptly cut short after suffering a thigh injury. Benzema was taken for a scan in Doha and it initially looked as if the 34-year-old would only miss Les Bleu's opener against Australia today (Tuesday).
But the striker's injury is worse than first thought with France confirming that he will take no further part in the nation's defence of their world title. With Real Madrid two points behind table-toppers Barcelona in La Liga, Los Blancos were initially worried that Benzema would be out for some time and that their title charge would therefore falter.
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As a result, various reports have linked Ronaldo with a sensational return to the Santiago Bernabeu. Spanish outlet SPORT report that the Manchester United striker offered his services amid Benzema's injury.
But it's said that the Frenchman will only be out for three weeks, with Marca reporting that Real Madrid are not expected to make a move for the Portugal international. This leaves the door wide open again for Todd Boehly to finally complete the signing his pushed so hard to complete in the summer under former boss Thomas Tuchel.
According to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes will offer his client to the Blues, but a move 'remains complicated'. The report confirms that the German head coach was a primary 'roadblock' in negotiations - which is now no longer there.
It remains to be whether Graham Potter is interested in signing the Portuguese star, however, with the 47-year-old keeping his cards close to his chest. Speaking ahead of the west Londoners' home clash with AC Milan in the Champions League, he said: "We can spend all day with these questions, but I'm not going to speak about this. If they are not our players, I am not going to speak to them."
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