Belgian journalist explains Christian Benteke’s thoughts about Liverpool transfer

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Christian Benteke is being continually linked with a summer move to Liverpool, most recently by Sky Sports, and today respected journalist Kristof Terreur discussed the forward’s plans for the summer…

Terreur reckons that the 24-year-old is keen on leaving Aston Villa to play European football, including the Europa League. Villa would have qualified for the competition had they won the FA Cup, but after the 4-0 battering at the hands of Arsenal on Saturday, Tim Sherwood’s men will only be playing domestic football in 2015/16.

However, the HLN reporter claims that we haven’t made a bid yet for Benteke.

The forward has a reported £32.5m release clause (via Sky Sports) which seems pretty expensive for a player whose goal record, while impressive, is not up there with Europe’s best.

In 88 Premier League fixtures, he’s notched 42 goals – which is less than a goal every other game. Top strikers need to be bagging around a goal every one and half games, and the top strikers (like Luis Suarez in his final top flight season, or Sergio Aguero this) are close to a goal per match.

£32.5m though would make him the second most expensive signing in our history behind Andy Carroll, and the comparisons between the English flop are noticeable. Both are powerful strikers with injury records who thrive off aerial service – but there’s serious doubts as to whether that kind of forward would feed off the service off Coutinho and co. who need runners in behind, or strikers capable of drifting to either flank.

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