Crystal Palace Reopen Benteke Talks, Origi Primed to Take Coveted Shirt
After Turkish champions Besiktas confirmed earlier in the week that they’ve been priced out of a move for Liverpool striker Christian Benteke, an old suitor has emerged with Crystal Palace rumoured to have reopened negotiations with the Reds for the big Belgian. The fee, of course, remains the sticking point with the Anfield outfit unwilling to budge from their £30mil valuation of the player, but a compromise could be found with the Premier League season set to kick-off this weekend.
“Out of all the strikers linked with @CPFC this summer Benteke is the one that excites me,” tweet Eagles legend Paddy McCarthy, obviously enthused with the club’s attempts to bring the 25-year old to Selhurst Park. “Would be a great signing for the club. #getitdone”
Although neither side has confirmed that talks are ongoing, it’s expected they’ll progress throughout the week as Liverpool look to offload the former Aston Villa man. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has made no secret that Benteke is surplus to requirements at Anfield, but the German manager also stressed that he wouldn’t let him leave on the cheap. With a backlog of attacking options at his disposal, there appears to be no place for the Belgian on Merseyside, but his compatriot Divock Origi — who looks set to start against Arsenal at the weekend — has flourished since the former Borussia Dortmund man arrived last October and he could very well pick up coveted Number-9 shirt that’ll be vacated when Benteke eventually moves on.
“We know it’s not that easy, especially as I’m on a learning process, so I just have to give everything I have got and see what it brings,” the youngster told the club’s official website. “I’ve always felt I’m a No.9. I can play alone up front and with another striker – even on the wing – but my strongest position is when I play as a No.9,” added Origi. “The manager knows my qualities very well and he knows how to use me so my main aim is to help the team. Wherever I play I always try to help the team and score goals.”