LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2015: Aston Villa's Christian Benteke celebrates scoring the first equalising goal against Liverpool during the FA Cup Semi-Final match at Wembley Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

No bids for Benteke as Villa look to keep hold of Liverpool target

Reports on Monday suggest there have been no transfer bids for Aston Villa‘s Liverpool-linked striker Christan Benteke yet this summer.

LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2015: Liverpool's Alberto Moreno and Joe Allen tackle Aston Villa's Christian Benteke during the FA Cup Semi-Final match at Wembley Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

According to Sky Sports, the 24-year-old is yet to be the subject of concrete interest by any club, despite constant links with a move away from the Midlands.

Sky claim Villa “are keen for the Belgium international to sign a new deal but Benteke, who has two years on his current contract to run, is not keen to sign as he wants to play Champions League football.”

The Belgium international has been rumoured to be Liverpool’s first-choice option to sign in attack this summer, although the £32.5 million Villa want, in order to meet his buyout clause, has proved to be a stumbling block.

The Reds reportedly believe he is worth somewhere in the region of £20 million, and their apparent decreasing lack of interest will come as a relief to many supporters who don’t rate him highly.

With Benteke looking increasingly as though he will no longer be on Liverpool’s radar ahead of the 2015/16 season, attention has quickly turned to other alternatives.

The reliable James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo claims the Merseysiders are monitoring South American pair Carlos Bacca and Salomon Rondon, of Sevilla and Zenit St Petersburg respectively.

CARDIFF, WALES - Tuesday, August 12, 2014: Sevilla's Carlos Bacca in action against Real Madrid's Pepe during the UEFA Super Cup at the Cardiff City Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Bacca, in particular, looks a strong option to bolster the Reds’ faltering attack, and his reported £21.5 million release clause seems a respectable amount for the in-demand 28-year-old.

Bacca would be keen on a move to the Premier League, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

“Sevilla would like him to stay, but he does know there is interest from the Premier League and Italy,” says Balague.

“He likes the idea of coming to the Premier League, of course he has been abroad for a few years and would be happy to continue that progression abroad.

“Although Sevilla expect an offer, it hasn’t arrived yet.”

[interaction id=”55882b379903ebaf492908a5″]