Crystal Palace Reopen Christian Benteke Transfer Negotiations

Having had a £25M plus add-ons bid rejected earlier in the summer, Crystal Palace appeared to have moved on from Christian Benteke, with rumours that the London club was exploring other options, including Saido Berahino and Michy Batshuayi.

The Berahino links have dried up. Batshuayi joined Chelsea. And with rumours that they will soon sell Yannick Bolasie to Everton for £20M, reports claim they have formally re-entered negotiations with Liverpool and again are hopeful of signing Benteke.

According to the Telegraph, Palace are confident that, this time, a deal can be done. Based on earlier negotiations, when they were given permission to discuss personal terms in expectation a fee would be agreed, they are also confident Benteke wants the move.

Flush with money from the Premier League’s new television deal, Palace have signalled they have no issues with matching the £120k per week Benteke is currently on. Benteke, meanwhile, knows that he has no future at Anfield and must move on.

To not do so would threaten his career given he is now fifth at best on Liverpool’s striker depth chart, behind not only Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi but also Danny Ings and the versatile Roberto Firmino, who is capable of playing anywhere in attack.

For Benteke, still only 25 years old and with the goal of being Belgium’s first choice striker, remaining at Liverpool is an untenable situation. Hopefully, with Palace now returning, a deal can be done quickly that will benefit both clubs and the player.