Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Christian Benteke and Mario Gotze

Liverpool striker Christian Benteke has agreed terms with Crystal Palace ahead of a summer transfer. 

That’s according to Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror, who stated the former Aston Villa man is “desperate” to make the move from Anfield after a disappointing debut campaign with the club. While terms are said to have been settled, Malyon added Liverpool still want to recoup £32 million for the player, £500,000 shy of the sum they parted with to bring him to the club from Aston Villa.

“But all parties are optimistic a deal will be completed this week, possibly as soon as Monday, as the Eagles finally get the top-level centre-forward they have been looking for while Benteke will become the highest-earning player in the club's history,” the report added.

Having struggled to flourish under Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, Benteke is not a player Reds supporters will lament losing. Liverpool writer Dave O’Connell thinks getting almost all their money back on the striker would be a fine effort:

Benteke arrived at Anfield with the promise of giving Liverpool a physical threat in the final third. At Villa, he was outstanding at the point of the attack, offering team-mates a brilliant point of reference, holding the ball up with distinction and bullying opposition defenders in the air.

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He possesses many attributes, but his movement, work rate and intensity off the ball are not the best. Unfortunately for the striker, they’re requisite traits for the Liverpool manager when it comes to choosing a player to lead the line in his team.

So a fresh start should benefit Benteke. Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe is expecting the Belgium striker to be a big success should his transfer to Palace go through:

Indeed, with players such as Wilfried Zaha, Yannick Bolasie and Andros Townsend on the flanks for Palace, expect Benteke to be utilised in a manner better tailored to his qualities. After such an underwhelming debut term, Liverpool supporters won’t be too disappointed to see their club take the money and run.

Liverpool Drop Interest in Mario Gotze

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According to James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool will not try to sign Bayern Munich man Mario Gotze this summer.

As noted in the article, the Reds had been strongly linked with a move for the Germany international, who shone under the guidance of Klopp during their time together at Borussia Dortmund. But it seems they won’t be linking up again at Anfield.

“Having completed the £30 million capture of Sadio Mane from Southampton, [Klopp] is understood to be happy with his attacking options,” Pearce added.

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Gotze looked out of sorts at the 2016 UEFA European Championship with his national side, starting the tournament in poor form before manager Joachim Low dropped him. ESPN FC’s Miguel Delaney was not impressed with the efforts of the Bayern attacker:

While Gotze has evidently lost his edge because of his position on the periphery of the team at Bayern, there is a wonderful player in there somewhere. Here is what he is capable of at his best:

Pearce noted Dortmund are keen on bringing Gotze back to the club while also linking Tottenham Hotspur with a potential £20 million move. For a player of such huge potential, that’s a small amount, especially when considering some of the fees paid already in the transfer window this summer.

Klopp would have been an ideal figure to oversee a potential Gotze renaissance, as he’s drawn the best out of the midfielder previously. Liverpool’s lack of interest will disappoint a lot of supporters, who have got excited about the prospect of this deal coming off. However, a brand-new start with new voices may be to the player’s benefit in the long run.