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

West Bromwich Albion are reportedly the latest club to show interest in Liverpool’s out-of-favour forward Christian Benteke, while the Reds are said to value Mario Balotelli too highly as they look to offload the striker.

According to the Press Association (h/t the Guardian), the Baggies want to add to their options up top and are considering a bid for the former Aston Villa man after their move for West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho fell through.

Crystal Palace are also said to be interested in the Belgium international, for whom Liverpool have reportedly asked £32.5 million.

While Benteke would arguably be a fine fit for West Brom boss Tony Pulis, according to HLN’s Kristof Terreur, he prefers a move to the London club:

Benteke hasn’t jelled with the principles in Reds manager Jurgen Klopp's squad, and with plenty of strikers on the club’s books, it makes sense for him to move elsewhere.

Former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers landed Benteke last summer, and the forward seemed poised to offer a different edge to this Reds attack. But the Northern Irishman’s departure, coupled with a new managerial game plan, consigned the forward to bit parts during Klopp’s debut term in charge.

Bleacher Report’s Karl Matchett believes a move away from Anfield would be best for all parties at this point:

Benteke at least contributed a few memorable moments in his first season at Liverpool; certainly many more than Balotelli, whom Liverpool have yet to offload.

According to the player’s adviser, Enzo Raiola, Sassuolo are interested in bringing the Italy international back to Serie A, although the two clubs have different valuations. 

“It's true, Sassuolo have given it some thought,” he said to ll Milanista (h/t Ben Gladwell of ESPN FC). “But we are light-years away from agreeing on a fee. Liverpool are never going to accept certain figures, unless nothing else happens before August 31.”

Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Balotelli has endured a rocky couple of campaigns. After joining Liverpool in the summer of 2014, he netted just one goal in his first Premier League season, while last term saw the former Azzurri international loaned out to former club AC Milan, where opportunities were scarce.

These numbers from WhoScored.com sum up just how poor he has been in front of goal since his move to Anfield:

While a lot of Liverpool supporters would be delighted to see the back of the 26-year-old at this juncture, Klopp was adamant in his press conference on Friday ahead of the team’s clash with Arsenal that they’ll be staunch in their asking price.

“Having six strikers is a little bit too comfortable, I would say, but if anyone thinks that because we have more than one striker we will make presents for other clubs, that’s the biggest misunderstanding in world football,” said the German, per Melissa Reddy of Goal.

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As noted by Bleacher Report’s Jack Lusby, Klopp included an intriguing name alongside Benteke and Balotelli in this category:

Benteke has regularly scored goals in English football’s top flight, and in the right kind of setup, one based on a more direct style of football, he’d continue that trend. After injuring his Achilles in 2014, the forward no longer possesses the type of dynamism off the ball that Klopp demands from his centre-forward.

While it’s understandable the Reds want full value for Benteke, Balotelli is a different case altogether. Granted, they paid £16 million to secure him two summers ago, but such has been his recent deterioration that Liverpool can’t expect to recoup anywhere near that amount for the Italian.