Liverpool are preparing a bid for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, sources have told SPORTCHIN.With Raheem Sterling's move to Manchester City set to be confirmed, Liverpool now have the funds available to launch a bid for Benteke, who has been on their radar for some time.
Liverpool have been waiting for the Sterling deal to go through before making an offer for the 24-year-old, having already paid out over £40 million on new signings Roberto Firmino and Nathaniel Clyne as well as bringing in free agents James Milner and Adam Bogdan, while the club will go to a tribunal to decide a compensation fee with Burnley for Danny Ings.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has made the Belgium international his top target as he looks to solve his side's goal-scoring problems, with Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini having failed to impress in the absence of Daniel Sturridge through injury last season.
Sturridge, who missed the majority of the 2014-15 campaign through injury, will miss the start of next season as he recovers from hip surgery
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Benteke has a £32 million release clause in his current contract with Villa, but ESPN FC has been told that Liverpool are hoping to negotiate a lower fee.
However, although the player has made it clear he is keen to move on, Villa are refusing to accept a cut-price deal and want the clause to be triggered.
A number of other clubs have been credited with an interest in Benteke, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham, but Liverpool are determined to land the former Genk man as Rodgers aims to finalise his transfer plans ahead of the new season.
Benteke enjoyed a superb second half of the season for Villa last term, scoring nine goals in 10 games, including one in their FA Cup semifinal win over against Liverpool.
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