Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has claimed that Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers could try to sign Christian Benteke from Crystal Palace this month.
The Hoops are suffering with a shortage of strikers at the moment with Odsonne Edouard the only centre-forward available to Rodgers due to Leigh Griffiths taking an indefinite leave of absence.
Nicholas believes that Palace powerhouse Benteke is a viable option for the Bhoys even though he has struggled with injuries, hasn’t scored many goals lately and, according to statistics website Spotrac, earns £120,000-a-week on his deal at Selhurst Park.
“A striker has to be a priority. I know Brendan is trying to bring in Timothy Weah and Vakoun Issouf Bayo but he also needs experience,” Nicholas told the Daily Star.
“I’d look at Liverpool’s Divock Origi. He has quality as he showed recently in the Champions League clash with Napoli. The Belgian isn’t getting a regular game so why not go and ask the question?
“Brendan could try to get Jermain Defoe in from Bournemouth or Christian Benteke from Crystal Palace.
“He has been poor at Palace but he would score goals for fun up here. If Celtic are serious about retaining the title then they need proven players to hit the ground running.”
OPINION
What planet is Nicholas living on? Benteke has only made four appearances for Crystal Palace due to injury this season – he didn’t score in any of them – and although he is getting close to returning to fitness, there’s no way that Celtic should be trying to sign him this month. Benteke is a beast of a forward. The 6ft 3 (transfermarkt) colossus can bully defenders with his height and his strength, but when it comes to putting the ball in the back of the net, he is not providing. Since joining Palace in 2016, the Belgium international has scored just 20 goals in 75 appearances in all competitions. There is no suggestion that he would bang in goals for fun in the SPFL, like Nicholas is suggesting, so Rodgers should not be taking up on his advice. Out of the strikers that Nicholas recommends, Origi would be the best. He is still quite young and there’s a good chance that Liverpool would let him go. Defoe would also be a good signing, but only a short-term fix.