Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has made it clear that Roberto Firmino is not looking to leave Al Ahli this January, despite recent links with Chelsea.

The Blues were recently linked with a surprise move for Firmino, as well as another Saudi-based player Karim Benzema, in a report from the Telegraph, with Mauricio Pochettino short of options up front and perhaps in need of a quick fix in that position.

Chelsea have mostly relied on inexperienced young players under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, and there could perhaps be a bit more room for at least a few more proven players like Firmino to come in and help this youthful side.

Still, Romano says Firmino’s camp are clear that he won’t be leaving Al Ahli this January…

Chelsea may have to look elsewhere for options in that area of the pitch, and it may well be that Benzema, also mentioned by the Telegraph, will end up being available.

Firmino was a great player for many years at Liverpool and one imagines he could surely have provided Chelsea with a very decent option for a few months, even if the Brazilian is no longer at the peak of his powers.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Two young stars get hefty bonuses for making All-NBA teams
Mavericks star duo joins exclusive club with Game 1 win
Mavericks ride 'Luka Magic' on both ends late to win Game 1
Panthers shut out Rangers 3-0 in Eastern Conference Final opener
NBA announces 2023-24 All-NBA teams
Star Padres infielder to miss significant time with shoulder injury
LeBron James, Charles Barkley passionately defend Caitlin Clark from 'petty' haters
Roger Goodell discusses factors for possible 18-game NFL season
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has intriguing comment on his contract situation
Celtics toying around with surprise Jayson Tatum move in conference finals
Former teammate warns Tee Higgins about pitfalls of playing on franchise tag
Watch: Timberwolves and Mavericks trade dunks in third quarter
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner tempers expectations for Juan Soto extension
Canucks' Rick Tocchet wins 2024 Jack Adams Award
Incredible Orioles streak finally comes to end against Cardinals
Raiders QB shares surprising reason for switching jersey number
New Jersey Devils to hire just-fired head coach to lead bench
Latest announcements show how deep Knicks' injury issues ran
Veteran WR announces retirement after nine seasons
Eagles stars defend new DC following criticism