"?Incoming Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has identified Liverpool striker Christian Benteke as an alternative signing should their first choice target, Everton's Romelu Lukaku, not be available, "?The Times reports.
The Goodison Park striker was at Chelsea for three years before moving away from Stamford Bridge after not being guaranteed first team football in 2014, joining Everton on loan before making a permanent deal for £28m.
Conte, however, is keen to bring the striker back to the West London club, in order to bolster his attacking options, with Spaniard Diego Costa and Frenchman Loic Remy the only out-and-out strikers currently in the squad.
The Italian coach reportedly keen to relieve the pressure from the former's shoulders after enduring a difficult second season for the Blues.
Despite expressing his desire to leave the Toffees, representatives of the player, including his father, have revealed that Lukaku is likely to join either Manchester United, being reunited with his former Blue's boss Jose Mourinho, according to "?The Mirror, or Bayern Munich in this summer transfer window, while the Merseyside club have placed a £65m price-tag on the Belgian.
Chelsea and Conte, who is currently preparing his Italian side for the Euro's this summer, are reportedly not willing to pay that price for the striker, and negotiations will only continue if Everton accept a lower asking price.
If this does not happen, then Conte has already decided on an alternative - Christian Benteke, with he Liverpool striker reportedly unhappy at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp does not favour the big Belgian, with the majority of his playing time coming off the bench, and talks have already been held with the German coach over his future with the Reds.