30 Apr 2013

Transfer priority: Boss claims £15m LFC target is 'world class'. Sign this summer...?

Liverpool target Christian Benteke hit a superb hat-trick against Sunderland last night, showing once again why he's sure to be one of the most coveted players in the upcoming summer transfer window. With Luis Suarez banned for 10 games - and potentially leaving in the summer - the Reds definitely need another striker, and the powerhouse Belgian would be clearly be a superb addition to the squad.

Benteke's hat-trick against Sunderland takes his creative tally for the season to 22 goals/8 assists in 36 starts, which is a fantastic return, especially in a team struggling to avoid relegation.

After the game, Lambert hailed Benteke as 'world class', and emphasised how his humility, a rare quality these days amongst elite footballers.

Benteke's figures compare favourably to the Premier League's other top scorers:

* Benteke: Goal every 1.6 games | Goal/Assist every 1.2 games.
* Suarez: Goal every 1.4 games | Goal/Assist every 1.2 games
* Bale: Goal every 1.7 games | Goal/Assist every 1.2 games
* RVP: Goal every 1.5 games | Goal/Assist every 1.1 games

Brendan Rodgers is a big fan of Benteke, and in an interview with TalkSport in mid-April, he enthused:

"[Christian] Benteke is one of the very top players at this level. He makes great runs and scores goals, and he caused us lots of problems."

A few weeks ago, the Daily Mail claimed that Liverpool are 'weighing up a move' for the £15m-rated Belgian:

"Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal have all had their interests piqued by the Belgian’s impressive start to his Premier League career"

Speaking to The Telegraph recently, Benteke's Agent, Eris Kismet, hinted that the the striker would consider a move at the end of the season. He said:

"At the end of the season, interested clubs will talk to Villa, but it has to be right the buying club and Christian. If all three parties are agreeable, something could happen"

Liverpool definitely need another striker at the club. Sturridge and Suarez [if he stays] will score plenty of goals between them, but (IMO), they need extra competition to keep them sharp.

Even if Villa avoid relegation, they'll find it hard to hold onto Benteke, and I personally would love to see him at Anfield. He offers something totally different to Suarez and Sturridge: raw, brute power, and real physical presence; but unlike Andy Carroll, he has the technique and goal threat to go with it.

Liverpool legend Jan Molby believes Benteke is 'an option worth considering', but he urged the Reds to be cautious about splashing the cash this summer. He told Eurosport:

"You might be able to get Benteke for £15m, but I would like to see if it is more than just his physical power that has given him an advantage over defenders this season. I want to see him improve maybe 10 per cent before you dive in with heavy money"

I disagree with Molby here - Benteke clearly has all the attributes to be a consistent success in the Premier League, and LFC should gamble this summer before his price becomes prohibitive.





NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)


78 comments:

  1. 15mil? Laughable :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. £15 million. That made me laugh.

    ReplyDelete
  3. whats laughable about it? You must think he will go for more money cuase 15 mil would be a great price for him!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So you pay £35 mill for Carroll and think your going to get benteke for £15 million!!!! Ha really pissing my pants!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Who makes this stuff up? Liverpool couldn't afford Benteke, nor could they tempt him. My guess is that Benteke will stay at Villa for another season, and if he proves successful next season then a top 4 club will be in for him.

    ReplyDelete
  6. £15m.....do 1 u scousers...£25m maybe,and a DECENT bigger side awaits the lad

    ReplyDelete
  7. What's laughable is fans living in cloud cuckoo land. It really makes me laugh how Swansea fans think they'll get £30m for Michu, and Villa fans think they'll get more than £15m for Benteke. You seriously need to wake up. It doesn't matter if they're *worth* that much, they won't go for massive money for a variety of obvious, logical reasons. These players are only worth what other clubs will pay for them, and no one will pay more than £15m for a player in a relegation-threatened side who has only one season of Prem experience.

    For a start, Villa have no discernible bargaining position. They are relegation contenders, and Benteke is a wanted man. If he decides he wants to leave, that gives other clubs the advantage when it comes to negotiations.

    Additionally, if established, experienced players like Podolski, Giroud et al go for less than £13m, why would anyone pay more than £15m for Benteke.

    Ironically, the tragic exception to this rule is Andy Carroll, and we all know what happened there...

    ReplyDelete
  8. why would he want to stay for another season if he gets a decent offer he will be off,money talks and imo lfc will not get him because we will be out bid

    ReplyDelete
  9. £15m ?? So you're saying that Carroll is £20m better than Benteke ? Downing is £5m better than Benteke ? I highly recommend Rodgers to go to a doctor if this is true.

    ReplyDelete
  10. rodgers did not state the price rodgers just stated he was world class same as every player who has had the cheek to play decent against us ,saying that i think he would be a great signing

    ReplyDelete
  11. Why does every person bring them up? They were complete and utter disasters,freak accidents if you will....They are exceptions NOT and shall I repeat NOT the rule,15m is about his price....Im guessing you're a villa fan so you know all about overpaying too, Cough cough....Bent....cough cough

    ReplyDelete
  12. who long they have left on there contracts as a lot to do with it eg owen to madrid

    ReplyDelete
  13. we got david bent as our manager is that who your on about

    ReplyDelete
  14. Two things yes we could afford him and if Liverpool wanted him he'd come,Which would he prefer next season....Stay with Villa and hope at best a top 12-10 finish,Play regularly with Liverpool challenging for a top 4 or rotting on the bench at city or Chelsea?

    ReplyDelete
  15. You think he'd be tailor made for Tottenham. Imagine the space he'd make for Bale and Dempsey/Sigurdsson. Think about how well he'd do with Bale and Lennon picking him out.

    ReplyDelete
  16. challenging for top four come on do not overdo it;-)

    ReplyDelete
  17. No......Darren Bent £24m

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ha actually come to think of it....We'll go to sigh him and Spurs will come in again and get him,I can already see it

    ReplyDelete
  19. liverpool4life5659:13 pm, April 30, 2013

    Lets be honest if you put ££££ Infront of villa owner then he would sell. 15-20 would be accepted.

    ReplyDelete
  20. When did Liverpool fans assume they could become arrogant again ? Liverpool don't challenge for honours anymore . Benteke is under contract and as far as I'm aware it's up to Paul lambert when he goes and for how much. Oh and Benteke actually likes it where he is so he has no reason to join the 7th best club England .

    ReplyDelete
  21. we will see hes scored more goals than carrol did,or sturridge and borini

    ReplyDelete
  22. liverpool4life5659:24 pm, April 30, 2013

    We've only sold one player under FSG who was big, Torres 50 million for a past it player bargain. But like our owners have said we won't sell our best players because we need to keep them, :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. oh so its good yanks bad yanks

    ReplyDelete
  24. liverpool4life5659:26 pm, April 30, 2013

    But we are still a upgrade on a relegation battling team.

    ReplyDelete
  25. liverpool4life5659:29 pm, April 30, 2013

    We have decent owners who done alot for Liverpool so I can't fault them.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Nothing is impossible, but I can't see it.

    ReplyDelete
  27. liverpool4life5659:32 pm, April 30, 2013

    In alot of Liverpool fans opinion, gave us funds, made progress on the stadium, also got bigger sponsors for our team.

    ReplyDelete
  28. look at the last 3 strikers we have signed villa would want blood

    ReplyDelete
  29. There's no arrogance here at all. Just speculation about transfers. And managers don't dictate transfer values; there are lots of variables, and if a player wants to leave, then there's not much a club can do about it. Benteke may like it at Villa, but that's not the point. Ambition is more powerful than loyalty these days, and we've seen that time and time again.

    ReplyDelete
  30. what progress on the stadium they got bigger sponsers for them selfs you really are fsg,s spokesman they can do no wrong in your eyes who do you support lfc or fsg i ask this ? because i really do wonder

    ReplyDelete
  31. jaimie come on be serious lol no one likes it in birmingham ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  32. 15 million,, LMAO. We will NOT be looking to sell (at all) for that price I can almost GUARANTEE that! Put 10 million at very least on that and we may take notice, but my bet is we will be keeping this team to grow together to punish the likes of you reds.

    ReplyDelete
  33. liverpool4life5659:39 pm, April 30, 2013

    We are staying at anfield? Buying houses around the stadium so we can apply for planning permission don't you listen to ayre?? Also no they done it for Liverpool.... Because our Adidas sponsors came in at 12 million now its 25 million,. And all I care about is they give funds to Rodgers and he got that 47 million we spent last summer and another 20 million in January. With a club without CL that's alot.

    ReplyDelete
  34. all hail fsg the gods hail hail you should write a sermon in your rodgers bible about them,

    ReplyDelete
  35. liverpool4life5659:43 pm, April 30, 2013

    Because I think our owners are good? You just think everyone bad because your in a weird world. With a club without CL and with the fair play system coming in we can't spend 100 million each window it doesn't work that way.

    ReplyDelete
  36. How can you 'almost guarantee that'?! Another fan deluding themselves. Give me one logical argument why Villa will get £25 for Benteke, and place your argument in the context of the transfers over the last few years.

    ReplyDelete
  37. 15m? You stupid little patronising twat. Downing was 20m. Torres was 50m. Therefore if you want Benteke I'd assume you would pay 133m for him. Fucking gloryhunter team, fucking glory hunter fans, fucking patronising assumption you can buy anyone for any price you want. Why would Benteke want to join a mid-table side. FUCK OFF CUNT.

    ReplyDelete
  38. liverpool4life5659:48 pm, April 30, 2013

    Owell least Rodgers is doing better than KK !:)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Your patronising manner and stupidity staggers me. Classic glory hunter. We'll be finishing mid table with you next year you snidy little tit. Gerrard can't last forever.

    ReplyDelete
  40. liverpool4life5659:51 pm, April 30, 2013

    I can't take you seriously, you used "tit" as a insult which shows your childish.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Why not? If we played like we have since the start of 2013 we would be in top 4 so its not that far off.....

    ReplyDelete
  42. Like I said arrogant- a downgrade on who you think you are !

    ReplyDelete
  43. Funny thing is Jamie Im almost 100% sure he wont reply because he has no argument for Villa getting that much for him

    ReplyDelete
  44. Ha I'd sat brum or any city is an upgrade on the city of thieves !

    ReplyDelete
  45. yes fool hes got european football next season

    ReplyDelete
  46. no your just a butt licker who will swallow anything put in front of you

    ReplyDelete
  47. Andy caroll, Henderson , downing - that's three logical arguments

    ReplyDelete
  48. i think you mean prince of thieves aladin

    ReplyDelete
  49. deluded.
    Benteke signed a four year contract last summer. If you want him this summer you will need to pay big money. £15 is nowt compared to Downing, Henderson and Carroll. And with the massive Sky payment transfer prices will soar.

    £15m deluded fools, absolutely no chance.

    Expect some ludicrous fees this summer. SO if you really want him make an offer we can't refuse. The Carroll fee might make us think anything less, you're having a laugh

    However, I think he'll stay at least one more season, quite probably two. He'll sing a new contract for improved terms in the summer. He wants to get plenty of football next season so he goes the World up he'll get that at the Villa. First name on the sheet.

    Forget it, you might as well take Carroll back off WHU. He might come?

    ReplyDelete
  50. Lol all the Butt hurt Villa fans coming on here....Deluded at that....And people say Liverpool fans are supposedly deluded

    ReplyDelete
  51. That is not an 'argument', and those three transfers have absolutely nothing to do with Benteke's value.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Jeez, change the record already! Going on about Downing, Henderson and Carroll proves absolutely *nothing*. Those deals do not relate to what's going on now, and have no bearing on how much Benteke will go for.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hilarious! He will go to a top club and you're not even the top club in your own city, never mind rhe country!! Not being funny but once Suarez and Gerrard go you're relegation candidates yourselves. It's 2013, not 1985!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Tell me this where is the proof he'd get anything more then £15m? The shite we signed dont count,they are freak mistakes.

    ReplyDelete
  55. lol you put it better than me :)

    ReplyDelete
  56. REMINDER. Please keep it civil. If I see any insults popping up, those posting them will be banned for 24 hours.

    ReplyDelete
  57. liverpool4life56510:03 pm, April 30, 2013

    Like I said FSG have done everything for Liverpool. Picked them up them when they were down. Can't ask for anything more.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Scousers get your caroll back - i mean if Rodgers is such a genius then I'm sure he can turn him into the next benteke lol

    ReplyDelete
  59. Sky money coming in the summer. Massive fees to follow, don't forget that!


    You will not get Benteke, no chance. Because unless you fork out stupid Carroll type money you won't get him. Simple

    ReplyDelete
  60. Carroll hendo and Downing are NOT logical and decent comebacks,actually they just make his point even worse....My bad I should have put a logical reply but either way I dot really care you Villa fans are giving me a good laugh either way

    ReplyDelete
  61. Sorry Liverpool fans, but know your place now, you're a spent force and you must see that. Quite frankly if I was Benteke
    saw the future of your club as Henderson and Shelvey I'd be looking for far better prospects. And there are far better prospects. Once great, now not so. Fact.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Benteke is one year into a four year deal. Villa dont need to sell him. Lambert has stated he is worth upwards of 25 mill. Therefore logically that is what he is worth to lambert and therefore Villa. He has also stated that he is trying to build something at villa and there is no point selling your clubs best players, ie selling benteke. Of course, money talks, and if a big offer was made, villas/lamberts valuation for instance then he would probably be sold. The price is seemingly around the £25 mill mark, not £15 mill. Simples??

    ReplyDelete
  63. Yes they are but dream on , like you have been for what nearly 25 years isn't it? Does the number 20 hurt? Ha

    ReplyDelete
  64. But it does count that's just it , you raised the bar by making some piss poor decisions in the transfer market. Besides which Liverpool are not a top 4 club so you also lose your argument there

    ReplyDelete
  65. There is no proof, there con't be cos it's all speculation. The season ain't even finished yet.

    The main point is he's scored 22 goals this season, his first in England, he's a regular starter for Belgium. Ahead of Lukaku.


    Villa don't want to sell

    He's happy at VP and wants to stay


    He's gonna get a new contract

    He's already got 3 years left on the current one

    Massive Sky payout will mean transfer fees will skyrocket

    oh yes AND Liverpool always pay over the odds

    So thinking about it probably closer to £40m for him

    ReplyDelete
  66. errrr Liverplop fans are deluded, case in point on this post


    £15m for Benteke, way way short of a valuation

    ReplyDelete
  67. I wont say we are a top 4 club but we're still on our day able to play with anyone in the league,and whether you like it or not Liverpool is a step up from Villa

    ReplyDelete
  68. Well that may not be the case because he might actually wanna play football....not rot on the bench all of which he would in the current so-called 'top four'

    ReplyDelete