According to reports in Spain, Chelsea are hoping to sign a striker before the January transfer window closes and are in talks to sign former Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite.

Madrid-based newspaper Marca claim Chelsea and Premier League rivals Manchester United are interested in the prospect of signing Braithwaite before the end of the window.

Both clubs turned down the chance to sign former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema during the January transfer window.

Chelsea and Manchester United are in reportedly in talks with Spanish club Espanyol to pay significantly less than the Denmark international’s €7 million (£5.9m) buyout clause.

Barcelona signed Braithwaite in February 2020 as an emergency transfer for €18million but the striker was released on a free transfer just 19 months later.

He then joined Espanyol in September 2022 and scored 10 goals in 31 league games, but it wasn’t enough to stop the club from being relegated from La Liga.

The 32-year-old is currently thriving in the Segunda Division, scoring 12 goals in 22 league appearances so far this season.