La Liga side Atletico Madrid are pondering a move for Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko as a replacement for Columbian international Radamel Falcao who left for AS Monaco.
The Bosnian forward has not been guaranteed a regular starting place under new manager Manuel Pellegrini and now could leave in search of more game time.
Dzeko who has also been linked with Napoli as a replacement for Edinson Cavani is no longer on top of Benitez's list with the likes of Mario Gomez and Leandro Damiao now of higher priority.
If he was to move to Atletico, he would be almost assured of a start every week alongside side some very accomplished names in Diego Costa, Adra Turan and Diego Godin.