Liverpool Transfer News: Huge Christian Benteke Cash Boost Eyed, Latest Rumours

West Ham United are reportedly preparing to fork out £40 million this summer in order to sign Liverpool misfit Christian Benteke, while manager Jurgen Klopp is understood to be ready to sell Martin Skrtel. 

Sky Sports News HQ cited "sources in France" as claiming Benteke is one part of a three-man shortlist drawn up by the Hammers, who are also said to be tracking Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette and Marseille's Michy Batshuayi ahead of the summer window.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Klopp's patience appears to be running thin with Benteke, and the German tactician was seen sharing what looked to be some stern words with the player at the conclusion of Sunday's 3-2 defeat to Southampton.

The Reds were 2-1 up when Benteke came on as a 70th-minute substitute before surrendering all three points, with the Belgian missing a fine scoring chance in the process.

Klopp played down the exchange, however, per the Irish Independent: "Sometimes we have to talk with players, that's my job. They go to the national teams now and I don't want to make phone calls with all of them, so I had a few words, it's okay. Nothing else."

The Hammers could be in luck, too, after the BBC's Ben Smith reported Belgium international Benteke will be free to leave Anfield at the end of this term, his maiden campaign at Anfield:

The 25-year-old was brought in by Klopp's predecessor, Brendan Rodgers, who decided to trigger his £32.5 million release clause at Aston Villa. The Reds will be free to demand a profit on the player if they decide to sell him on again, however, to help account for wages paid during his year at the club.

West Ham brought Fenerbahce forward Emmanuel Emenike in on loan in the winter, but Sky Sports claimed the club are looking to pen "one of Europe's top forwards" in the summer, with Batshuayi, 22, and Lacazette, 24, also linked.

ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty Images

Meanwhile, the Daily Star's Rhys Turrell reported Skrtel is seen as surplus to requirements at Anfield, with Schalke centre-back Joel Matip already on his way to Merseyside this summer on a free transfer.

Skrtel was another player who had a day to forget at St. Mary's Stadium on Sunday, and former Liverpool striker John Aldridge was left dumbfounded by the Slovakia international's performance:

The Telegraph also asked its readers what the Reds should do with Skrtel this summer, and the vast majority voted for an exit—or any other means that involved the defender not playing:

Klopp has coped at Anfield with the players he inherited from past managers so far, but the German will be free to assert his influence on the squad at the end of this season, his first summer transfer window in England.

Skrtel, 31, could well be one of the faces sacrificed in order to make room for new signings on Merseyside, potentially bringing an end to his eight-year stint at Liverpool.