Liverpool Transfer News: Joe Allen Exit Tipped, Latest Christian Benteke Rumours

Liverpool legend Ian Rush believes midfielder Joe Allen is unhappy with his lack of first-team opportunities and may leave the club, while striker Christian Benteke is reportedly on a list of transfer targets for La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.

Allen has been an afterthought for the Reds in the 2015-16 season, completing just a single Premier League fixture, and Rush thinks it's clear he's not happy with his current situation.

Speaking to WalesOnline (h/t Daily Star's Jamie Anderson), he said: “Joe’s frustrated by not being in the team. I’ve seen a lot of players who are happy on the bench, but the thing with Joe Allen is he’s not happy doing that. If he’s not happy then he might well want to move on."

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According to Anderson, the 26-year-old has 15 months left on his contract, and he's not expected to receive an extension. Per Chris Wathan of WalesOnline, Swansea City are hopeful they can bring him back into the fold, having sold the midfielder to Liverpool in 2012.

The Reds have preferred to use Jordan Henderson, Emre Can and James Milner in a central role this season, and they're expected to be aggressive during the summer transfer window and add even more competition.

Manager Jurgen Klopp is still working with a squad that isn't his own, and some major changes are likely over the summer. That could spell trouble for Allen, who has mainly made headlines for non-football related activities this season. Per Bleacher Report UK, one recent interview stood out:

The Wales international is a valuable backup, capable of playing in a central role or out wide if need be, but at this stage of his career, he probably won't be happy spending most of his time on the bench. Rush believes he's visibly frustrated with his current role, and if the club feels the same way, a split may well be imminent.

Swansea probably won't be the only club interested in his services once it becomes a clear he's set to leave the club, and this summer would be the perfect time to part ways with the midfielder. The Reds could use the transfer fee for his services to add more players Klopp wants to build around, and if they wait, he may well leave the club on a free transfer next season.

Meanwhile, Pep Costa of Sport reports Atletico Madrid are on the lookout for a “killer” forward, and while Chelsea's Diego Costa is their top target, Benteke also makes the list:

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Diego Pablo Simeone knows he needs a new No 9 at Atletico. After Jackson Martinez went to Guangzhou Evergrande in China for 45 million euros, and with Fernando Torres failing to find good form, despite the fans' support, he has been on the lookout for a 'killer'. 

There are six candidates in the 'casting' for the Atletico centre-forward position. The No 1 contender is their former player, Chelsea's Diego Costa. But Edinson Cavani, Romelu Lukaku, Icardi, Christian Benteke and Carlos Bacca are on the list too.

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The Belgium international has been inconsistent for the Reds all season long and has fallen out of favour with the fans. This is Anfield ran a recent poll regarding his future, and the results were not pretty:

Per WhoScored.com, he has scored seven goals in 25 Premier League appearances this season―including 12 starts―but too often, he has missed vital chances that have cost the team points. The former Aston Villa man also looks like a poor fit for Klopp's uptempo style of play, and he has mainly been used as a backup of late.

Given his poor form, the link with Atletico might sound odd, as you'd think the Spanish club could do better. But per Kristof Terreur of Het Laatste Nieuws, Simeone has long been interested in Benteke:

His physical style of play would make him an excellent fit alongside Antoine Griezmann, who has the mobility to pull defences apart and provide Benteke with the space he needs to be effective.

But Atletico may not have to splash the cash on a new striker this summer, given the superb form of Borja Baston. The 23-year-old is enjoying a fine season on loan with Eibar and has already scored 17 La Liga goals this season, per Costa. You have to assume he'll be given the opportunity to prove himself for his parent club next season.

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