West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic reportedly wants to add Christian Benteke to his squad for next season but the price tag and salary could be stumbling blocks for the deal.
The Belgian international is on a staggering £120,000 a week at Liverpool and it’s claimed in this article by Gary Jacob in The Times that West Ham wouldn’t be willing to pay him such a large weekly wage.
Instead, the Hammers would be willing to ease to a more acceptable £80,000 a week which is to be expected for a top name summer signing.
The 25-year-old moved to Liverpool from Aston Villa last summer for £32.5million, Liverpool’s second most expensive signing, after Andy Carroll – also at West Ham.
The 6’3″ striker has featured 24 times in the league for Liverpool since his move, scoring only seven goals. Having said that, in his previous 89 top flight appearances for Aston Villa he managed to net 42 times. Other than at the Reds, Benteke’s strike rate has been impressive.
Jurgen Klopp’s thoughts on the striker seem to be clear as he is often leaving the Belgian on the bench behind Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and perhaps most tellingly, Roberto Firmino, who isn’t a natural front man.
With West Ham trying to add to their squad this summer ahead of a potential European campaign next season, Benteke could be the man they look to bring in.
