Liverpool rejected Crystal Palace’s bid for Belgium international Christian Benteke because the deal involved an unrealistic clause involving The Eagles qualifying for the Champions League, Europe’s premier competition, according to The Telegraph. All parties want to get the deal done, but Palace will have to reweigh their offer to get their man.
The Reds swiftly rejected a £30.5 million bid from The Eagles after it was sent from London, and it was immediately clear that this was due to the £7 million in add-ons, but with conditions that seemed very unrealistic. Liverpool want to sell the striker but are also keen to recoup as much of the £32.5 million they spent on him last summer.
With just £23.5 million upfront, they felt the offer unacceptable, especially with one of the clauses requiring Palace to qualify for the Champions League, Benteke to score 20 goals in that season alone, and for him to play a part in 70% of the matches. The other clauses revolved around Premier League survival, so seem more likely to be fulfilled, but The Reds felt the Champions League clause was unlikely to ever be paid.
Palace have a large amount of interest in the former Aston Villa striker, and the feeling is mutual from the player himself. When Liverpool do finally accept a bid for the striker, he is likely to complete a move to Selhurst Park relatively quickly, where he will be hoping to kickstart his career again.
There were high hopes for the 25-year-old when he moved from Villa Park to Anfield 12 months ago and scored nine goals last year despite being shunted to the sidelines when Jurgen Klopp arrived and took over the team from Brendan Rodgers. A number of other teams have also expressed an interest this summer apart from Palace, including Everton and West Bromwich Albion. However, Benteke has made it clear he wants a move to Alan Pardew’s side.
