Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that striker Christian Benteke may leave the club this summer amidst reported interest from Crystal Palace, Everton, West Ham and Sunderland.
With Klopp eyeing several big-money signings before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, the sale of Benteke would go a long way to funding even more arrivals, although it is not thought that he has to sell in order to buy.
The Belgian international had a hit and miss season at Anfield last season following his £32.5m move from Aston Villa, scoring just 10 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions.
Benteke never really suited Jurgen Klopp’s system at Liverpool and is now seemingly the fifth-choice forward behind Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings, and that had led to Klopp hinting that the striker could leave this summer.
Everyone knows about it. Christian [Benteke] has already said maybe it makes sense to go to another club. Christian is still a great striker. We have a few more strikers and I think it makes more sense to give them match time. But if there are clubs that want a real striker then they have to make a real offer – otherwise we will find solutions.
Benteke netted 49 goals in 101 appearances for Aston Villa before his move to Liverpool last summer, proving he can be a regular goalscorer in English football when played in the right system.
Crystal Palace are believed to have had a £30m bid turned down for Benteke this summer already, with the Reds looking for nearer £33m to part ways with the 25-year-old.
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