Recent rumors have emerged that West Ham United is targeting Liverpool's flop striker Christian Benteke before the summer transfer window ends on Sep. 1.
The 25-year-old Belgium international was signed by the Reds last summer from recently relegated team Aston Villa for a fee of £32.5 million. However, he has never met the expectations of coaches and supporters at the Anfield in his first season there, scoring a dismal 10 goals in a total of 42 appearances in all competitions.
While he is considered as a flop by many, Benteke is still seen as an attacking force by other clubs in Europe and had been lured to exit Liverpool all throughout the summer.
Caught Offside indicated that the Hammers are joining fellow English Premier League side Crystal Palace in the £32 million race to sign the 6-foot-3 Kinshasa, Zaire-born Belgian as Reds manager Jürgen Klopp is said to be just aiming to recoup what the club has spent for him last year.
The report claimed that the 49-year-old German boss "has made it clear he has no plans for the striker next season" as Benteke was dropped "from the match day squad going into the 4-3 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday".
With his recent benching, it seems like an exit from the Anfield is inevitable for the former Genk star if he wants to continue his professional football career.
Benteke was once considered as an up-and-coming attacking prospect after scoring 20 goals in 41 games for Genk in two seasons. He then moved to the Villans and netted 49 goals in 101 appearances in all competitions during his three-year stay at the Villa Park before he was bought by Liverpool last summer.
Meanwhile, West Ham is looking to upgrade their striker options this term as the club wants to improve on their seventh-place finish last season.
Hammers head coach Slaven Bilić is keen on signing Benteke and are willing to rival Crystal Palace, whose recent £30.5 million bid for the Belgian attacker was rejected by Liverpool.
Bilić is said to be "willing to cough up the amount" needed to obtain Benteke, but the club could still face competition from the Eagles after Palace recently sold Yannick Bolasie to Everton for £28 million, 90min reported.