The tabloids are just as abuzz with transfer rumours in the middle of November as they are at the end of August, but with the window now officially open, they’re going to be reviewed with a bit of a closer eye for the next couple of weeks with Liverpool’s interest in Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke sure to be a major talking point for the course of it.
That is, if the Reds don’t complete the Belgian’s transfer within the next couple of days. With six signings, including a big money move for Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino, already under their belt, the Anfield outfit have been taking the market by storm. Although their initial interest was rejected by the Villains, with a new bid rumoured to be in the region of £25mil for the powerful 24-year old prepared, Benteke could quickly become their seventh — something radio personality Graham Beecroft thinks is on the cards.
“My understanding is Christian Benteke, who has been on their radar for some time, is very close indeed to signing for Liverpool,” the supposed Anfield know it all told tabloid talk radio show Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast even though they’re nowhere near meeting the £32.5mil that Villa boss Tim Sherwood is holding out for. “I expect him to sign if not today then certainly in the not too distant future. Liverpool have done their work and have sealed a deal [with Aston Villa].”
While terms like “close indeed” and “distant future” don’t exactly inspire confidence, the Reds reported interest in the 24-year old now appears to be much more than just a smoke-screen for other potential targets. There’s all kinds of fish at the market and the news that Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca — boss Brendan Rodgers supposed fall-back option if the Benteke deal continued to go sideways — is set to join Italian side AC Milan won’t likely force the hand of the Anfield outfit with more than enough time left to manoeuvre. That being said, they’ll be keen to avoid making the kind of panic buy that saw Mario Balotelli return to the Premier League near the end of August as options dried up and prices inflated.
More on this when we’ve got something concrete…
