According to reports from The Express this morning, Manchester United are hoping to wrap up a deal for Aston Villa star Christian Benteke by the weekend.
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 were widely considered to be the front-runners in the race to sign the 6 foot 3 target man, with reports earlier this week claiming they’re about to improve upon a previous £22million offer.
But The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson confirmed on Tuesday that Benteke is very much on the Old Trafford radar as well, whilst reports yesterday claimed Manchester United are planning to capitalise on Liverpool’s reluctance to meet the striker’s release clause in full.
And according to The Express, who cite The Sun, the Red Devils are now hoping to conclude a deal by the weekend. They’re willing to activate Benteke’s buy-out fee, viewing him as an ideal replacement for Fenerbahce signing Robin van Persie.
That will see the club’s summer spending surpass the £100million mark.
that’s exactly what is liverpool called out and made out.
noisy neighbours of Man U.
shame on fsg and rodgers for letting go a class striker though they don’t have following the departed suarez.