Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Christian Benteke, Raheem Sterling Rumours

Liverpool's capture of Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke relies on the departure of wantaway forward Raheem Sterling, according to reports.

The Times' Tony Evans has told talkSPORT's Hawksbee and Jacobs show that "the second Raheem Sterling leaves Liverpool, Christian Benteke will come in."

The Belgian forward has long been linked with a move to Anfield as Reds boss Brendan Rodgers looks to improve his attack after a poor showing in front of goal last term.

Benteke is reportedly eager to leave Villa, per Stuart James in the Guardian, with Belgian football writer Kristof Terreur indicating the player's desire to play in Europe:

While Liverpool will not play in the Champions League next season, the prospect of Europa League football could be enough to attract Benteke.

Per James, Villa will not sell Benteke for a penny less than the 24-year-old's £32.5 million release clause.

With Sterling looking likely to move to Manchester City for between £40 million and £50 million, per Bleacher Report's Graham Ruthven, Liverpool will be able to afford Benteke if and when they sell the 20-year-old:

Sterling is looking increasingly likely to depart Merseyside this summer as the relationship between club and player now seems beyond repair, per Sky Sports.

He failed to show up for training on Wednesday, calling in sick, per the Times' Tony Barrett, perhaps another indication that he is not long for Liverpool.

Sterling still has two years left on his contract with Liverpool, but the Reds will surely not keep hold of player who is reportedly unhappy at the club.

If they cash in on Sterling and, in turn, fund the purchase of Benteke, Liverpool could benefit in the long-term.

Sterling, though talented, is yet to prove himself on a consistent basis and is arguably not worth anywhere near the value that has been quoted.

However, City need to up their quota of homegrown players and are clearly interested in signing Sterling, per the Express' Richard Tanner.

Benteke, on the other hand, is a proven Premier League goalscorer—he has netted 42 times with poor Villa sides since his move from Genk in 2012 per WhoScored.com.

His move to Anfield could be fully funded by the Sterling fee with money to spare, and he would all but guarantee goals.

The three players who were supposed to replace Luis Suarez in the Liverpool attack—Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini—failed miserably last term, but Benteke could provide the goals currently lacking at Liverpool.

Benteke would be an expensive but valuable signing, and he looks set to be pursued by Liverpool as soon as Sterling is moved on.