Almost Done - Liverpool Set To Sign £32.5m Chelsea Target

Raheem Sterling’s move away from Liverpool to rivals Manchester City and Liverpool’s purported interest in Aston Villa hitman Christian Benteke have been two of the worst kept secrets of this transfer window.

With Sterling’s exit looming large , especially in the light of him asking the club to leave him out of the pre season tour and missing training twice citing illness, Liverpool’s move for Benteke is also gathering pace. However, Aston Villa are prepared to pay hardball over the Belgian , as iterated by the words of their manager Tim Sherwood, who has claimed that any move for the striker will have to meet the mooted £32.5 million release clause.

Liverpool are on the lookout for a new striker after the failings of last season and after missing out on several targets like Paolo Dybala, Luciano Vietto and Carlos Bacca, have finally identified the big Belgian as the answer to their problems. Benteke’s record of 42 goals in 89 league appearances render him one of the top marksman in the country and Liverpool are reportedly planning to use the funds gathered from Sterling’s sale to bring him in.

As revealed by talkSPORT last week, the Merseysiders are bracing themselves for a final offer from City for their want-away winger and will use the funds recouped straight away on Benteke.

The Times’ football editor has now claimed in an interview with talkSPORT that it’s only a matter of time before the former Genk man is on Merseyside.

He was quoted as saying:

“The second Raheem Sterling leaves Liverpool, Christian Benteke will come in.”

Liverpool fan base has been divided in their opinion whether Benteke is worth the money or not.However, he will ssurely guarantee the one thing which the Reds were missing last season – goals.