According to reports from Sky Sports this afternoon, Aston Villa expect Liverpool to activate Christian Benteke’s release clause by the end of the day.
The Belgium international ended the 2014/15 campaign with a prolific run of twelve goals in his final 13 outings – including a Premier League hat-trick against QPR – to bring his Villains total to 49 goals in 99 appearances.
That, combined with the revelation that his Villa Park contract includes a £32.5million release clause, has generated plenty of interest in the 24 year-old.
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Liverpool have already launched a £22million bid for the 6 foot 3 target man, whilst reports this morning claimed Manchester United are hoping to capitalise on the Anfield outfit’s reluctance to pay his buy-out fee by activating it before the end of the week.
Likewise, Roma have been mooted as potential candidates for Benteke’s signature, should their deal for Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko fall through.
But according to Sky Sports, Aston Villa now expect Liverpool to activate the former Genk star’s £32.5million release clause by the end of the day, meaning he’ll be allowed to discuss personal terms with the Merseysiders immediately.
Whether that will convince the Red Devils to do the same remains to be seen.
Not Benteke. No, no,no- anywhere but L’pool . Totally wrong player for us – having wasted the money from Suarez we’re now about to waste the money from Sterling’s sale. Hopefully it will cost Rogers his job but what a waste!
This is good moment now @ LFC, it is better 2 rap things up now b4 another things turn around. Keep the good works going. Up Liverpool we’ll never walk alone.