West Brom begin talks with Palace over target man Benteke

West Brom boss Sam Allardyce is hoping to reunite with striker Christian Benteke this month, according to reports.

Allardyce managed the target man during his time at Crystal Palace in 2016/17.

That was Benteke’s last successful season in the Premier League, and it now looks like the pair could join up at The Hawthorns.

West Brom have begun negotiations with Palace over a short term move for Benteke.

The report states that Palace would be willing to let the player leave after signing new striker Jean-Philippe Mateta from Mainz.

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According to Sky Sports, the transfer is likely to be a loan move until the end of the season. It could then become permanent if Benteke impresses Allardyce.

Benteke is desperate to revive his career in the Premier League. The Belgian international scored an impressive 15 goals during the 2016/17 campaign as Palace finished 14th.

Since then, however, he’s managed an average of less than three league goals per season.

Allardyce is on the search for a new striker to bolster his attacking options and help West Brom in their relegation fight.

They’ve been linked with a host of players, including Galatasaray’s Mbaye Diagne.

But Benteke could be a good option for the Baggies should they manage to get the deal over the line.

Palace now have more options up front, meaning Benteke will want to prove himself in the Prem.

He’s enjoyed slight success this season, too. Benteke scored three goals in December as Palace beat West Brom and drew with West Ham.

That showed that Benteke still had the ability to contribute goals, just far less often than in his Aston Villa days.

Benteke joined Palace from Liverpool for a £28 million fee in August 2016.

He’s gone on to score 26 goals in 129 games for the Eagles.

Palace’s next match is against West Ham tomorrow at 18:00.

West Brom, meanwhile, face in-form Man City at 20:15.