Report: No China move, but Benteke could still leave Palace this month

Christian Benteke will not be chasing the riches of the Chinese Super League over the January transfer window, contrary to reports coming from the striker's homeland of Belgium.

However, Crystal Palace's £32-million summer signing could still possibly leave this month, according to Sky Sports News HQ, despite the former Aston Villa and Liverpool man top-scoring for his new employer with eight goals in 20 appearances.

No interest parties are named by Sky Sports, but The Mirror's Damien Lewis picked out Beijing Guoan on Tuesday as one of the Chinese clubs rumoured to be interested.

If Benteke was allowed to leave it would be a sacrificial move, potentially freeing up funds for the reported pursuits of Leicester City's Jeffrey Schlupp, Norwich City's Robbie Brady, and Sunderland's Jermain Defoe.

Benteke's departure would expose a not particularly deep area of Sam Allardyce's squad though, with fit-again Loic Remy, who's on loan from Chelsea, and Fraizer Campbell waiting in striking reserve. Connor Wickham is ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.

The 17th-placed Eagles travel to West Ham United in Saturday's slate of Premier League fixtures.