Anzhi Makhachkala edge ahead in race to sign Chelsea and Tottenham target

Free-spending Anzhi Makhachkala have emerged as the front-runners to land Mehdi Benatia, the Chelsea and Tottenham target.

talkSPORT told you last month that AC Milan were leading the race to sign the Udinese defender but Anzhi, who are able to sign players until the Russian transfer window closes on February 24, are primed to make a bid.

The Dagestan-based side are poised to make a £12.8m offer for the 25-year-old, who is under contract until June 2017.

Benatia, who has been a Morocco international since 2008, has seen his reputation grow since joining Udinese from French club Clermont in 2010.

Napoli and Milan are keen to keep him in Serie A, but Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham have all been tipped to bring him to England.

But Anzhi, who sold centre-back Chris Samba to QPR last month, could beat all five clubs to Benatia's signature.