After Jurgen Klopp's latest comments, it's clear that Reds striker Christian Benteke is a dead man walking at Liverpool, but will he be able to secure a transfer before the end of the current window?
When asked last week about Benteke, Klopp told reporters:
"It makes sense [for Benteke] to go to another club. If there’s an offer, we will think about it".
According to Sky Sports 'sources' today:
* Several teams are interested in Benteke, who has 'agreed terms' with Besiktas.
* Liverpool are willing to sell, but the Reds 'will not consider bids lower than around £32.5m'.
When terms are agreed, it often means that a transfer is imminent, but reports in Turkey suggest that Besiktas are only willing to spend €25m, which is way off Liverpool's valuation. Worryingly, Sky also claims:
"Sources are telling us that Liverpool feel Benteke will be just as valuable next summer based on contract length and the fee other experienced strikers have commanded in this window".
If this is true, it typifies (IMO) Liverpool's ongoing negligence in the transfer market:
* If Benteke - described by ex-Reds boss Brendan Rodgers as a 'wonderful' signing - spends most of this season rotting away on the bench (which seems likely), how will his £32.5m value be maintained?
* All the strikers who've gone for big fees this summer were regular starters for their previous teams, hence their values being retained, and clubs willing to pay a premium.
* If Benteke stays for another year, he will cost an extra £7.2m in extra wages, so it's false economy to keep him in the tenuous hope that he'll sell for £32.5m a year from now.
* Benteke has already cost Liverpool approx £40m (transfer fee and salary, not including signing-on fee, and performance related bonuses), so the club is already haemorrhaging money on this deal.
I see no upside in keeping Benteke for another year. Liverpool are going to lose money either way, so the club should just bite the bullet and sell him now for £25m-£28m. Unfortunately, after rejecting Palace's bid, it may be too late for that. Plus, Klopp has weakened the club's bargaining position by making it clear he wants Benteke out.
Fingers crossed for a deadline day deal.
When asked last week about Benteke, Klopp told reporters:
"It makes sense [for Benteke] to go to another club. If there’s an offer, we will think about it".
According to Sky Sports 'sources' today:
* Several teams are interested in Benteke, who has 'agreed terms' with Besiktas.
* Liverpool are willing to sell, but the Reds 'will not consider bids lower than around £32.5m'.
When terms are agreed, it often means that a transfer is imminent, but reports in Turkey suggest that Besiktas are only willing to spend €25m, which is way off Liverpool's valuation. Worryingly, Sky also claims:
"Sources are telling us that Liverpool feel Benteke will be just as valuable next summer based on contract length and the fee other experienced strikers have commanded in this window".
If this is true, it typifies (IMO) Liverpool's ongoing negligence in the transfer market:
* If Benteke - described by ex-Reds boss Brendan Rodgers as a 'wonderful' signing - spends most of this season rotting away on the bench (which seems likely), how will his £32.5m value be maintained?
* All the strikers who've gone for big fees this summer were regular starters for their previous teams, hence their values being retained, and clubs willing to pay a premium.
* If Benteke stays for another year, he will cost an extra £7.2m in extra wages, so it's false economy to keep him in the tenuous hope that he'll sell for £32.5m a year from now.
* Benteke has already cost Liverpool approx £40m (transfer fee and salary, not including signing-on fee, and performance related bonuses), so the club is already haemorrhaging money on this deal.
I see no upside in keeping Benteke for another year. Liverpool are going to lose money either way, so the club should just bite the bullet and sell him now for £25m-£28m. Unfortunately, after rejecting Palace's bid, it may be too late for that. Plus, Klopp has weakened the club's bargaining position by making it clear he wants Benteke out.
Fingers crossed for a deadline day deal.
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