Liverpool Transfer News: Christian Benteke Tipped for Exit, Latest Rumours

Liverpool outcast Christian Benteke will head for the Anfield exit this summer, according to talkSPORT commentator and ex-Premier League striker Micky Quinn. Meanwhile, the latest reports indicate the Reds are stepping up their interest in Leroy Sane and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Quinn co-hosted the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast on Monday and stated his belief that Benteke will leave Liverpool after failing to feature in Sunday's Capital One Cup final defeat to Manchester City:

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Benteke’s gone. I don’t like to say it, but I’m afraid he’s gone. He just doesn’t fit in with Klopp’s mentality of that versatile front three, where they’re closing people down, running into the channels and getting back to defend as well – a mobile front three. He just doesn’t fit into Klopp’s brand of football.

I really think he’ll be gone in the summer, unless he wants to work with him over pre-season to get him onto that mentality. But I don’t think so, I think he’ll be gone.

On numerous occasions, when Benteke and Origi have been on the bench, Klopp has turned to Origi. You get that with managers. Some, when they come into clubs, fancy some players and don’t fancy others.

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Last year's £32.5 million summer signing was an unused substitute at Wembley, and future prospects look dim for the player, who is yet to score for the Reds in 2016.

It's been two months since the 25-year-old netted back-to-back 1-0 winners against Leicester City and Sunderland, his most recent goals for the club, and patience is believed to be running thin on Merseyside.

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

The Sun's Phil Thomas reported on Monday that Benteke would be one of the numerous players sold at the end of the campaign, as head coach Jurgen Klopp enters his first summer summer transfer window with changes in view.

The Liverpool Echo's Kristian Walsh asserted even Benteke's Belgian compatriot Divock Origi now sits ahead of the former Aston Villa man in the pecking order following his recent drought:

Broadcaster Nik Postinger agreed and professed to Benteke being as good as gone this summer, having failed to play any role in Sunday's League Cup disappointment:

While Benteke may be on his way out of the club, rumours indicate Klopp will see wing recruitment in the shape of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sane of Arsenal and Schalke, respectively.

Spanish website Fichajes.net reported Everton will provide competition for Gunners misfit Oxlade-Chamberlain (h/t Metro's Mark Brus), while the Liverpool Echo's Joe Rimmer claimed a £30 million move for Sane could be on the cards.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Oxlade-Chamberlain has started in 17 of his 33 Arsenal appearances this season, playing the full 90 minutes on just four occasions, and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is allegedly willing to cash in on his playmaker.

Despite his fringe status at the Emirates Stadium, Bleacher Report's Jack Lusby recently admitted his admiration for the player and hinted he could do well if given a chance with Liverpool:

Sane would undoubtedly be considered a much more difficult target to land, particularly as Klopp would be competing for his signature with the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City, according to Rimmer.

Klopp is reported to have had scouts watching the Schalke starlet regularly this term, and the Reds chief may yet hope his German connections and a promise of first-team football is enough to sway the youngster.