West Bromwich Albion have reportedly joined fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace in pursuit of Liverpool striker Christian Benteke.
Sky Sports report that West Brom have entered the race, alongside Crystal Palace, to sign Liverpool outcast Christian Benteke. The Baggies have been linked with a plethora of strikers in the recent past, Watford forward Odion Ighalo being the most notable name. Sky sources claim that manager Tony Pulis is looking for a replacement for English forward Saido Berahino, who is reportedly on his way out of the Hawthorns. The Englishman is headed to either Stoke City or Crystal Palace, with both clubs reportedly having lodged a £20m bid for the youngster.
It is also stated in the report that the former Stoke manager has identified Christian Benteke to lead the West Brom front-line as he is keen to bolster his attacking options, ahead of the season opener against Crystal Palace. The Baggies have signed only one player thus far in the summer transfer window – winger Matt Phillips from Championship side Queens Park Rangers.
Benteke has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield and has been told by Jurgen Klopp that he does not have a future at the club, with Liverpool setting an asking price of £30m for him. There is no dearth of interest in the Belgian international though, he has attracted a host of Premier League clubs including Chelsea.
Benteke was reportedly close to agreeing a move to Crystal Palace in what would’ve been a club record signing for the Eagles, but the move broke down due to a discord between the two clubs in agreeing to a transfer fee. Benteke was linked with an audacious move to arch-rivals Everton, a transfer that would’ve made the striker the first player in 24 years to move directly from Liverpool to their arch rivals.
West Brom seemingly present a suitable destination for Benteke as the Baggies are short on numbers on the attacking front and their style of play is similar to what the Belgian was used to at Aston Villa. The guidance of Pulis and a return to old, favourable tactics could just be what Benteke needs to rediscover the deadly form from his Villa days.
