For £47 million, Chelsea should...

Chelsea have been linked with a massive bid for Oscar Cardozo. For that money, a certain Colombian striker would be a far better bet.

It has been reported this week that Oscar Cardozo is a target for Chelsea. The Paraguayan striker is a real powerhouse, with an excellent track record.

He plays for Benfica, who Chelsea knocked out of the Champions League last season, and he scored past Manchester United along their run to the quarter-finals.

Overall for the Portuguese club he has scored more than 130 goals, with his best coming in 2009-10, a terrific 38 goal season. Last year was not bad either, 28 goals in all competitions, and this year he has three goals to his name so far already.

At 6 foot 4 he is a striker who would be well suited to the physical style of the Premier League, but he has also a deft touch and plenty of skill in his locker too.

It has all led Chelsea to be linked with him. The one department the club are light in is up front, with Daniel Sturridge the only striking alternative to the frustratingly inconsistent Fernando Torres.

Benfica are willing to cash in, according to reports, but only if a whopping £47 million release fee clause is met.

As far as we are concerned, Chelsea should walk away from the negotiating table at that price. There is no doubt Cardozo is a great player, but he would not be value for money.

The main factor being his age, 29, and he turns 30 in May. He is the same age as Robin van Persie, and there were a few raised eyebrows when United shelled out £24 million for the Dutchman, but at least he was proven in the Premier League.

£47 million is a sizeable transfer fee, and not one Chelsea should stump up for Cardozo, irrespective of his talent. If they could get him for around £20 million, there may be some who even view that as too high, but they would at least expect to get two-three good seasons out of him and it would be better value.

Chelsea have been heavily linked with Falcao, after his hat-trick demolition of them in the Super Cup, and the Colombian would be available at a similar price. Importantly he is three years younger than Cardozo.

Everton have also been linked with the striker, but considering their tight spending, there is no chance of them meeting the clause.

Extra bad news for the deal? Cardozo is playing in the Champions League, meaning he would be cup tied if the club did sign him in January. So the best thing for Chelsea to do is walk away for now, re-assess next summer when the player is 30, and put in a £10 million take it or leave it offer.

If Benfica reject it, then move on to other targets, and who knows, by then Falcao may even be in the bag.

Dan Coombs

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Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.

As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.

He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.