Liverpool Transfer News: Major Names Linked with Anfield Club, Latest Rumours

Liverpool have done some good work already in the transfer window, bringing in the likes of James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne and Roberto Firmino, who could all prove very valuable assets.

However, despite signing Danny Ings from Burnley, a top-class striker is still a necessary addition if Brendan Rodgers' side are to return to the upper echelons of English football.

The recent chatter has been that as soon as Liverpool cash-in on want-away winger Raheem Sterling, they will stump up the cash for Aston Villa's Christian Benteke, per the Times' Tony Evans (h/t talkSPORT). 

In the latest rumours seeming to hint at Benteke's departure from Villa, there has been great excitement over the removal of the Belgian—and the Manchester City-bound Fabian Delph—from the club's official Twitter header, per the Liverpool Echo's Kristian Walsh.

Broadcaster Deji Faremi provided the offending images:

The move is hardly an admission from the Birmingham outfit that Benteke is on the way out, but it is looking increasingly likely.

Staurt James of the Guardian recently reported that the 24-year-old wants to leave Villa Park for a bigger club, an unsurprising desire as he is arguably one of the best strikers in the Premier League—he has scored 42 goals in three seasons in England, per WhoScored.com.

Liverpool are widely reported as being eager to sign him, but the price tag seems to be the sticking point, with Villa demanding his £32.5 million release clause is met, per James.

The Reds should easily be able to afford such a fee if and when they move Sterling on.

The latest reports surrounding the 20-year-old Englishman, though, are that he will be left to "rot in the reserves" unless a club stump up £50 million for him, per the Mirror's John Cross and David Maddock.

Such a stance could see Sterling's main suitors, Manchester City, priced out of the market, as their "final bid" is set to be £40 million, plus £4 million in add-ons, per Cross and Maddock. 

Benteke would be a terrific addition to the Liverpool system, and the Reds should consider shelling out for him even if they do not sell on Sterling this summer, per Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell:

He would be a better addition than other rumoured targets like Juventus' Fernando Llorente, per the Telegraph, as he has youth on his side, and he is proven in the Premier League.

What is in no doubt is that Liverpool need a new, top-quality striker. Luis Suarez's departure and Daniel Sturridge's injuries saw their Premier League goal-tally drop from 101 in 2013-14 to just 52 last season.

Whether it is with the money made from the sale of Sterling or not, Liverpool need to snap up Benteke as they look to break into the Premier League's top four again next term.