Fernando Torres' reign as Chelsea's top striker looks to be over. The English club has already been linked to bids for Colombian Striker Radamel Falcao, but it seems that their search to replace Torres and find depth at the forward position has extended beyond the Atletico Madrid striker.
Reports indicate that Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez is interested in offering FC Barcelona 12 million Euros for striker David Villa. The 31-year-old Spanish national striker has often been relegated to the bench this season for Barcelona and the opportunity to start for Chelsea might propel the deal.
If Chelsea chooses to keep Torres and play him alongside Villa, they have a clear advantage as Villa has stated his admiration of Torres before. "Fernando and me get on well on and off the pitch. We complement each other and work well together," Villa stated previously. The move could also jump start Torres who has had stretches where he is unstoppable as well as other streaks where he scores no goals for 10 games.
Aside from Chelsea, ESPN reports that Arsenal and Liverpool are also interested in Villa, which could make for an interesting January transfer window. Barcelona has stated that they will not move Villa, but rumors that Neymar could be coming to the Camp Nou would support the notion that Villa is on his way out. Villa also had a controversial argument with star player Lionel Messi a few months ago that sparked conversation about the Spaniard's discontent. The players stated publicly that they have no problems, but the incident could have some bearing on the transfer rumors.
Villa has five goals in 12 Spanish league matches in 2012-13, but he is coming off the bench in most matches. Back in 2010 he led Spain to the World Cup Championship with five goals in the tournament and added 18 goals in his first season with Barcelona in 2010-11, but the injury last year has decreased his production since.