Chelsea Transfer News: Christian Benteke Targeted, Latest on Paul Pogba, More

In-form Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke is reportedly the subject of interest from Premier League champions Chelsea.

According to Paul Clennam of Goal.com, Blues boss Jose Mourinho "is determined not to miss out on Benteke" and will look to snap him up during the summer. It is suggested the Belgian "would share responsibilities with Diego Costa," whose debut season in England has been blighted with injuries.

Benteke has scored 11 in his last nine fixtures, per WhoScored.com. Both his and Villa's fortunes have massively improved since Tim Sherwood replaced Paul Lambert as boss. The former Tottenham manager quickly got the midlands club supplying their deadliest finisher by moving the ball forward quickly and getting numbers upfield to provide support.

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Costa has netted 19 in 24 Premier League appearances, as recorded by WhoScored, but he continues to miss significant playing time due to niggling injuries. The 26-year-old hasn't featured since returning from injury against Stoke City on April 4, a match that saw him enter for 10 minutes before departing with yet another problem, per BBC Sport.

Benteke doesn't possess the greatest injury record himself, but Mourinho would sign him with a plan in mind, according to Clennam: "Chelsea do hold some concerns around Benteke's injury record, but Mourinho believes the club will be able to manage the 24-year-old's workload alongside Costa."

Marotta: Pogba 'Not for Sale'

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Chelsea continue to be mentioned in conversations regarding the future of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, as reported by Simon Jones of MailOnline. However, Juve CEO Giuseppe Marotta has suggested the dominant youngster isn't for sale, according to Mediaset (h/t Richard Parry of the London Evening Standard): "What will happen to Pogba? Our goal is to reinforce our team. Pogba, for us is not for sale."

Marotta provided further comments to Radio Rai (h/t Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star):

"

Pogba has not demanded a transfer. He is the best young player in the world and it is only normal that some of Europe's biggest clubs want to sign him. But Juventus are a big club as well and we are not a selling club.

Juventus have sold very few outstanding players over the years and at the moment there are no conditions for us to put Pogba out there on the transfer market.

"

Pogba is one of the sport's best young players and can already be considered a midfield behemoth in Turin. Mourinho could instead turn his attention to a different player in Atletico Madrid's Koke, as reported by Tony Banks of the Express, but it depends on exactly what function he wants a new midfield signing to undertake. 

B/R UK's Garry Hayes recently looked at a dream lineup for the Blues:

Imagining Pogba alongside Nemanja Matic is a frightening prospect, but the player's future is likely to remain contested throughout the summer. He is a genuine world-class talent and an all-around contributor to Juventus' cause.

Mourinho appears to be looking to beef up his squad with physical players. This trait has made Chelsea's defence formidable this season, with powerful, athletic individuals forming a solid back four. Both Benteke and Pogba have battering qualities and will become instant favourites wherever they end up.