It looks like Christian Benteke is on the verge of becoming our second most expensive player ever after the Liverpool Echo broke the news that we’re going to pay his £32.5m release-clause.
Aston Villa have flatly refused to budge on their valuation, and have adamantly claimed that the Belgian powerhouse will only be sold if Liverpool stump up the cash.
We had previously not been keen on spending so much on the 24-year-old, but it now appears we’ve had enough of the waiting game and will pay the extortionate fee to ensure we sign Benteke ahead of Manchester United – who had emerged as candidates in the Daily Mail.
Benteke is immense aerially, and the fact we’re spending so much on a player who thrives on crosses perhaps says much about a potential change in style this coming season.
The forward has notched 49 goals in 101 appearances for Villa over the past three seasons – and will cost the bulk of the £49m we’ve just received for Raheem Sterling – considering that 20% of that fee will go to QPR (via Guardian).
What we’ll hopefully be seeing at Anfield next season…