Chelsea are exploring a loan move for Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke

Antonio Conte is desperate to sign a target man with top-flight experience

Chelsea would prefer a loan signing as they expect Conte to leave in summer

Chelsea are exploring a loan move for Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke.

Antonio Conte is desperate to sign a target man with Premier League experience this month to help his side’s top-four push.

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Benteke is among the candidates identified by the Blues hierarchy.

Chelsea are exploring a loan move for Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke

Antonio Conte is desperate to sign a target man with Premier League experience this month

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The Premier League champions would prefer to loan Benteke for the rest of the season

Christian Benteke Career Stats Appearances: 284 Goals: 106 Premier League appearances: 171 Premier League goals: 67 Premier League goals per game: 0.39

The Premier League champions would prefer to loan Benteke for the rest of the season; Palace, however, are unwilling to consider a temporary switch.

The Eagles, though, may be willing to let the Belgian leave on a permanent deal. Chelsea would prefer to make a loan signing as they expect Conte to leave the club in the summer.

However, as time passes Chelsea may be forced to commit a substantial transfer fee to ensure they can get a new striker over the line.

Andy Carroll, Edin Dzeko and Peter Crouch are among the target men strikers to have been considered by the Blues.