West Ham might well be keen on prising Christian Benteke away from his Anfield nightmare this summer, but they want Liverpool to pay a portion of his wages , according to reports.
It really hasn’t gone well for Benteke at Liverpool. He’s scored the odd goal, but generally looked less suited to Jurgen Klopp’s style of play than Brendan Rodgers’. It wasn’t exactly a perfect fit before Klopp’s arrival.
Predictably, rumours now link Benteke with a move away from Anfield, with West Ham as the most popular destination. The Hammers are among the clubs interested in the £120,000-a-week striker.
However, none of the potential suitors are willing to match his massive salary, according to both The Times and the Daily Mirror.
It leaves Liverpool facing the prospect of having to pay some of the 25-year-old’s wages if they want to move him on.
Although Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp – who inherited the player when he succeeded Brendan Rodgers in October – has claimed Benteke retains his faith, the marksman has started just three of the club’s last 16 matches.
He has also fallen behind Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi in the pecking order.
Benteke’s nightmare season has also taken another blow after as he has been warned by Belgium coach Marc Wilmots that his Euro 2016 place is under threat.
Wilmots believes the striker needs to “prove that he can mean something” to the Reds between now and the end of the season to have a chance of being in his Belgium squad this summer.
“It’s difficult for him,” said Wilmots. “Klopp arrived and visibly made his choice. Benteke is going to have doubts now. We’ve all gone through that. I understand that and regret it.
“He missed the World Cup because of an injury, and missing the Euros would hurt. Now, he has to work. Christian has the time to prove that he can mean something to Liverpool.”
