Liverpool Transfer News: Christian Benteke Agent Denies Atletico Madrid Rumours

The agent of Liverpool striker Christian Benteke has shot down speculation his client is poised to enter talks with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid regarding a summer move from Anfield.

A report emerged from Spanish outlet TodoMercadoWeb.com that said the Merseyside misfit's representatives were set to begin negotiations with Los Rojiblancos.

However, Benteke's agent, Kismet Eris, has since informed Tom Coast of Sport Witness: "Nothing about this story is true."

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The Belgium international has endured a tough time at Liverpool since moving to the club from Aston Villa for a fee of £32.5 million last summer, scoring just eight goals in 35 outings for the club.

Benteke has started in just 18 of those outings, and the striker recently spoke to Belgian newspaper Sport and vented his frustrations about manager Jurgen Klopp (h/t Metro's Max Miller): "He tells me that I’m a striker who can do everything. Why am I not playing then? It’s not like we were playing like Barcelona. I don’t understand that they would say that I don’t suit his style of play. Pressing, to move, I know how to do it."

That kind of talk may bode well for any teams looking to tempt the 25-year-old away from Anfield, but clubs may not quite be queuing up for his signature as they were upon his Aston Villa departure last summer.

When asked to comment on Benteke's aforementioned remarks, Klopp was calm in his approach, according to Goal's Melissa Reddy, simply asking for the player to let his play do the necessary talking:

Metro's Mark Brus described Benteke as an "ideal fit" for Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, and it's easy to see why that could be the case considering how former front man Diego Costa once flourished in that setup.

Benteke's attributes are similar to that of the Spain international, now at Chelsea, but it seems talks of a move to Madrid were premature.

Any chance of a move also appears slim after Kristof Terreur of Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws recently confirmed Benteke is set to be sidelined, possibly until season's end:

Atletico are currently leaning on Antoine Griezmann to lead their scoring ranks, while Fernando Torres, who's finally showing glimpses of his former best, will see his loan spell at the Vicente Calderon come to an end this summer.

Torres' contract at Milan will also expire at the end of this season, and Atleti could opt to offer the 32-year-old a permanent return to his former club, shortening any chance of a Benteke arrival.

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Liverpool may be open to selling their fringe figure should the right offer come in, but Atleti will know Benteke to be a big risk who is also likely to come with a sizeable transfer valuation to match.

On paper, the deal looks like one that could work for both parties involved, but Benteke's representation has swiftly moved to shoot down the link as a summer crossroads approaches for his player.