Liverpool Transfer News: Christian Benteke Bid Planned, 5 New Signings Rumoured

Liverpool "are preparing a bid for Christian Benteke," but they will hold off launching it until the Belgian striker has competed for Aston Villa in Saturday's FA Cup final, according to Tony Barrett of the Times.

The Mirror's David Maddock also reported this story and suggested Reds boss Brendan Rodgers "wants at least five new faces in the summer." Maddock believes the Northern Irishman "would dearly love more—and is also looking to offload upwards of seven players from his squad who are surplus to requirements." 

Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur believes Liverpool are destined to up their interest in Benteke:

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Rodgers failed to retain Liverpool's Champions League place during the 2014-15 season. Although the recent stint among Europe's elite wasn't particularly memorable, sustained funding provided by the competition can make all the difference when improving the squad over a number of years.

Barrett believes "Liverpool are hopeful that an offer of more than £20 million will convince Villa to sell" Benteke.

However, the midlands club wouldn't accept anything lower than £25 million when Benteke handed in a 2013 transfer request, as reported by John Percy of the Telegraph. He has only improved since then, underlined by his 12 goals in as many games toward the end of this season, per WhoScored.com.

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Maddock believes Benteke is Liverpool's "No. 1 target" in what is likely to be an extremely busy summer at Anfield. He indicated Fabio Borini, Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli, Jose Enrique, Lucas Leiva, Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto could all depart the Merseyside club on permanent deals, making room for significant investment.

There is also the lingering possibility of Raheem Sterling's departure, as reported by John Richardson of the Express.

When you consider five of these players joined Liverpool in the last two years, it's obvious the club's recruitment policy needs to quickly prioritise quality over quantity.

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Sam Wallace of the Independent reports Burnley striker Danny Ings and Manchester City midfielder James Milner could be free options for Rodgers, despite a tribunal fee likely needing to be paid for the former.

WhoScored compared Benteke and Ings' quality during the recent Premier League season:

B/R UK's Sam Tighe recently outlined a handful of potential signings for Liverpool:

Benteke's powerful presence would be ideal for the Reds' front line, but at 24 years old, the former Genk man may be looking to land Champions League football. A stint in the Europa League with Liverpool is unlikely to be too inviting, especially with no guarantee that the Reds will secure a top-four finish next season.

Rodgers will be desperate for progress, particularly after taking the club to second during 2013-14. Liverpool have only moved backwards since then—spending wildly throughout the summer to replace Luis Suarez—so must be careful of falling into that trap once more now Steven Gerrard has played his last game for the club and Sterling looks to do the same.