Fresh Karim Benzema to Chelsea transfer claim made as Fabrizio Romano issues Tottenham update

Both Chelsea and Tottenham picked up important points over the course of the weekend. The Blues narrowly defeated local rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge, while Spurs fought from behind to draw with Manchester United away from home.

Chelsea are now in ninth place, three points behind West Ham in sixth, who have a game in hand, while Spurs are in fifth spot and level on points with Arsenal in fourth, though they too have a game in hand. As both sides prepare for their winter break, we have rounded up all the latest transfer news surrounding both sides.

Benzema links

Chelsea are being linked with a surprise move for former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema. The forward is said to have fallen out with Al-Ittihad, not showing up for training, leading to him being excluded from the club's trip to Dubai.

According to The Telegraph, Chelsea could take advantage of the situation by offering the 36-year-old a deal. The deal would likely be short-term, given Benzema's age, but the Blues could do with another goalscorer amid struggles to take chances this season. Benzema scored 238 goals in 439 league games for Real Madrid, while he has nine goals in 15 league games for Al-Ittihad.

Romano on Hojbjerg

Fabrizio Romano has issued an update on the situation surrounding Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg amid links with a move away. He said on the Here We Go Podcast: “We know the situation of Pierre-Hojbjerg is open.

"We heard many rumours from Italian clubs but from what I’m hearing right now, it is not happening for Napoli and it is not happening for Juventus. That’s why for Tottenham, at the moment, it is still too early to say who is going to be their new midfielder." Hojbjerg is under contract with Spurs until 2025.