According to reports from The Daily Mail this morning, Manchester United are ready to rival Liverpool in the race to sign Aston Villa star Christian Benteke.
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 since arriving from FC Genk in summer 2012.
That, in combination with the revelation that his Villa Park contract includes a £32.5million release clause, has generated plenty of interest in the 24 year-old.
>>> Keep up to date with all the Premier League’s confirmed summer transfers <<<
Liverpool are 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 make an improvement on their previous £22million offer following the sale of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City.
But the Anfield outfit are reluctant to pay Benteke’s release clause in full and The Daily Mail now claim Manchester United could take advantage.
They’re in need of added firepower after letting Robin van Persie leave for Fenerbahce, and The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson confirmed earlier this week that Benteke is in contention to replace the Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer at Old Trafford.