Having failed to bring down a proper Luis Suarez replacement, Liverpool became the laughing stock of the season finishing outside of European qualification spots, but the Merseyside outfit are now in a wanting to lure Christian Benteke to Anfield.
The Aston Villa forward saw his goal-scoring form dwindle when Paul Lambert was at helm, but rediscovered his form after the appointment of Tim Sherwood as the manager of Aston Villa. Incredible conversion rate and the killer instinct have made him the prime target for the Scousers.
Liverpool were given a major boost in their bid to sign the Belgian marksman as his manager stated . that the Birmingham based club would be left with no choice, but to let him go in the event of his release clause being met. It is believed that the club inserted a A?32.5million release clause when the forward put pen to the paper two years ago. For a club like Liverpool, such monies would not mean much given the transfer fee they paid for Andrew Carroll.
a Therea s a buy-out clause in his contract so it will be impossible for us to stop him if he wants to go. Someonea s got to meet that buy-out clause and if they dona t it wona t be considered because we dona t want to lose him.a
However, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager hinted that the 24-year-old should be on the lookout for better teams than Liverpool and suggested that he stayed put until a team like Real Madrid came knocking. The Englishman believes that the striker has kept his desire to leave Villa Park discreet to avoid controversy.
a Christian Benteke has said that he feeds off crosses. Therea s no point going to a club [Liverpool] where they dona t cross the ball. He has made no indication that he wants to leave and I dona t think he should be moving clubs before a European Championship.a
With Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert only available to spearhead the lineup as of now, Liverpool may have to make one or two striker signings this summer and Christian Benteke would certainly cut the mustard.