Liverpool transfer rumour: Reds reject Crystal Palace's £30m bid for Christian Benteke
Liverpool have rejected a £30 million bid from Crystal Palace for the out-of-favour striker, Christian Benteke. Several trustworthy Merseyside journalists like James Pearce and Paul Joyce have reported that the Eagles' bid amounted to £23m up front, with further £7m as add-ons. If Liverpool are to receive the whole amount, then, certain clauses have to be triggered. One of those clauses is Crystal Palace qualifying for the Champions League, which seems highly unlikely to take place come the end of the season.
The Premier League club is ready to sell the Belgian International for a fee of £30m but only if they are guaranteed the complete amount. The Reds are not willing to have any add-ons as a part of the deal.
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It has to be noted that Liverpool had already rejected a £25m bid from Crystal Palace for Benteke this summer. The Reds, who bought the Belgian for £32.5m from Aston Villa last summer, made it clear that they are not ready to sell him for anything under £30m. Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool believe that they can recoup almost all the money they paid for the striker, if not the full amount
Even though Benteke scored 10 goals from his 42 appearances for the club last season, he has failed to impress manager Jurgen Klopp. The German left out the £30m rated striker from Liverpool's pre-season squad this summer and has made it clear that Benteke has no future at the club. Klopp currently rates Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Danny Ings ahead of the former Aston Villa man and it is certain that he will leave the club in the coming days.
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West Brom, Everton and Sunderland are the other teams interested in the Belgian. The Baggies might be willing to accept Liverpool's valuation of the player but Benteke does not fancy a move to the Midlands. Everton and Sunderland, on the other hand, have not shown strong interest.
As of now, Crystal Palace looks like Benteke's next club. The player is keen on a move to London and it has been reported that Benteke and Crystal Palace have agreed personal terms. The only thing left is a fee to be agreed between the two clubs and with the transfer window nearing its end, things are expected to gather pace.
The three parties are very much interested in business and it is expected that the deal will go through. Liverpool might be too stern on their £30m wanting price, but the Eagles are without a proper striker and are in search of a consistent goalscorer.
Crystal Palace bagged £30m (£25m plus add-ons) for Yannick Bolasie this week when the Congo International signed for Liverpool's rivals, Everton. It is pretty clear that the Eagles have the funds for Benteke and Liverpool will be pushing maximum to squeeze the £30m out of the London club.