Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Christian Benteke and Marko Pjaca Rumours

Crystal Palace are reportedly hoping an improved club-record bid of £31.5 million will be enough to convince Liverpool to sell striker Christian Benteke. Meanwhile, the Reds are said to be closing in on Dinamo Zagreb winger Marko Pjaca.

The Guardian's Dominic Fifield reported the Eagles will lodge a new offer for Benteke after seeing their £25 million bid rejected last week, just a year after he arrived at Anfield from Aston Villa for £32.5 million.

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The new bid is understood to be worth an initial £27 million, potentially rising to £31.5 million as Palace continue their efforts to recruit a star name in attack.

However, Tony Barrett of the Times has questioned whether Benteke is now worthy of such an outlay considering his failure to feature prominently for Belgium at Euro 2016:

His lack of involvement in France falls after a difficult first season on Merseyside, with Benteke scoring just 10 goals in 42 appearances for Liverpool, although just 20 of those were starts.

That being said, Liverpool writer Dave O'Connell has tipped the 25-year-old to rediscover his previous heights at a club who can fit the style he thrived in during a two-year stay at Villa Park:

The reports would appear to line up, considering Crystal Palace recently failed in their bid to sign fellow Belgium international Michy Batshuayi, who joined Chelsea in a £33.2 million deal last week.

The Mirror's Ed Malyon spoke of his expectations to see manager Alan Pardew's side get the deal over the line, with Benteke's chances under Reds chief Jurgen Klopp looking rather slim:

Elsewhere, Liverpool are reportedly closing in on a move for Pjaca after Dinamo Zagreb sporting director Marko Vukelic said the player isn't as near to joining Italian giants Inter Milan as first appeared.

Speaking to Italian outlet FC Inter News, Vukelic kept alive Liverpool's chances of landing the player (h/t Telegraph's Richard Amofa): “The boy has been very clear through his Facebook profile that there has been no agreement with Inter and he is still a player for Dinamo Zagreb. He’s now on vacation then he will be at our disposal but there are a few possibilities with other clubs including Inter."

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Pjaca, 21, has scored 26 goals in 89 appearances for Dinamo since joining the club in 2014, 12 of which came during the 2015-16 campaign, including three in Champions League qualification.

The 10-times capped Croatia international can play on either flank or in a more central role, and he could follow the likes of compatriots Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar in moving to the English top flight.