Deal done: Man United beat Liverpool to sign Christian Benteke in £32.5m move http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/fo...an-Benteke-Liverpool-transfer-news-Man-United
Why would a Villa fan know the truth any more than anyone else if it hasn't been announced? Need a bit more than that.
I think the worrying thing is that we've spent a lot of money and the same issues of poor defence and midfield are not addressed.
Sky Bet have suspended their Christian Benteke next club market after Liverpool were backed at as short as 1/10 to sign the Aston Villa striker. Reports emerged in the Birmingham Mail on Thursday afternoon that Liverpool have triggered the £32.5million release clause in the Belgian's contract and bookmakers have now stopped taking bets on him moving to Anfield. Manchester United had been favourites to sign Benteke with Sky Bet on Wednesday but it now looks like Liverpool have moved a big step closer to a deal. please log in to view this image Transfer betting Find out who else Sky Bet expect to be on the move this summer here. Liverpool's first-choice striker Daniel Sturridge made just 18 appearances last season after missing almost the first five months of the season with injury. He is likely to be sidelined until at least September after undergoing surgery on a hip problem which prematurely ended his campaign in April. Divock Origi, Danny Ings, Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini are Rodgers' other attacking options at present. Chief executive Ian Ayre is currently in Brisbane with Rodgers and his squad for the second leg of their pre-season tour but is expected to handle negotiations with Villa for the purchase of the 24-year-old. Liverpool have already bought six new players, including England right-back Nathaniel Clyne at a cost of £12.5million, and Benteke's arrival would push their summer spending to around £80million despite Rodgers saying 12 months ago, after an outlay of £110m, that there would not be a huge amount of recruitment to follow. Earlier this week, Villa boss Tim Sherwood said he wanted to keep the striker, but admitted the club were powerless if a bid of £32.5million was received. He told told Sky Sports News HQ: “If someone matches that buy-out clause there is nothing we can do about it but until that happens he is an Aston Villa player and we are all very pleased about that. “I think Liverpool – I looked the other day – have six or seven strikers at the club. Now I’m not sure how many they actually need. We know Christian is a very good player and we want to keep hold of him." please log in to view this image
The fact there is a such debate and an underwhelming feeling on our 2nd biggest signing in history speaks volumes. I do have concerns re. our attack though - how will we play? Firmino and Coutinho prefer movement ahead of them which they won't get from Benteke. Bar Firmino to some extent, none of them run beyond defenders. How will it work?
His movement is very good, take a look at some of his performances for Belgium he doesn't really play as a target man for them.
I was relieved when I heard United were in for him this morning. Says it all. Will he improve us? Yes. could we have spent that £32m better though? Yes.
If he's not injured for a long time can be a great signing especially with proven premiership experience.
No longer a question of if he's going to leave Villa. The question is for where?. Tim is bringing in Adebayor.
