West Ham United look set to make a move for Liverpool striker Christian Benteke, as they prepare a £25 million bid.
Benteke has long been on the Hammers’ transfer radar, with his £32.5 million move from Aston Villa last summer set to end in disappointment.
Fielded in a much-changed Reds lineup in Sunday afternoon’s 2-0 win at home to Watford, the 25-year-old made his first Premier League start since January 2, highlighting his lowly position.
Behind Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Roberto Firmino and possibly Danny Ings in Jurgen Klopp‘s centre-forward pecking order, Benteke is likely to move on this summer.
If that is the case, West Ham are a likely destination, with reports including from the Telegraph‘s Jason Burt suggesting that the east London side will make a bid in the near future.
Burt claims that Slaven Bilic’s side are lining up Benteke, Marseille’s Michy Batshuayi and Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette in a series of moves, hoping to land one of them.
It is believed that whichever club accepts their bid first would take priority in proceedings.
Lacazette, who has scored 21 goals in 33 Ligue 1 games this season, and has regularly been linked with a move to Liverpool, is said to be their No. 1 target, however.
Liverpool would look to recoup much of their outlay from last summer, while the striker’s wage demands could be an issue, but co-chairman David Sullivan hinted this week that West Ham would soon lodge a bid.
“We’ve put a bid in today for €30 million for a player, and other bids will be going in.
“We’re going to make a £20 million or £25 million bid for a player in England later this week.
“Whatever happens we intend to bring a top striker in.”
Benteke would certainly suit West Ham‘s attacking system better than Klopp’s system at Liverpool, and at £25 million the Reds would likely consider their offer.
The striker has previously expressed a determination to fight for his place on Merseyside, but the club could well make their feelings known if the Hammers force their hand with a bid.
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