Report: Liverpool triggers Christian Benteke's £32.5-million release clause
Liverpool's summer shopping spree is showing no signs of slowing down after triggering Christian Benteke's minimum fee release clause.
The Merseyside club are prepared to meet the £32.5-million asking price in Benteke's contract with Aston Villa, according to various reports.
The next stage in the process will see the Belgian striker negotiate a new contract with Liverpool before undergoing a medical, sources tell ESPNFC.
The move appears to be inspired by the influx of money from Raheem Sterling's £49-million transfer to Manchester City and the reported interest from Manchester United, as manager Brendan Rodgers and the Liverpool board appeared to be unwilling to meet the exit clause.
Villa manager Tim Sherwood appeared to make a last-ditch effort to thwart Liverpool's approach when he questioned their need for another striker, citing that the club has an abundance of forwards.
But the Reds are clearly looking for an upgrade, especially since it appears they'll be without Daniel Sturridge until September after the English international underwent hip surgery in April.
Mario Balotelli likely wouldn't have been trusted with the duty of leading the Liverpool attack following his dreadful first season with the Reds, while Divock Origi remains a raw talent with zero Premier League experience. Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini have failed to make an impact at Anfield, and new-signing Roberto Firmino would be better off in an attacking midfielder role rather than as an outright striker.
Danny Ings may have been the only viable option, but his chance looks to be fading.
Liverpool have other options up front, but few have shown a capability to perform at the level Benteke has shown since his arrival in England.
While his season overall with Villa doesn't seem impressive, Benteke's scoring blitz to close the season out likely raised a few eyebrows when he finished year with 12 goals in his final 12 games.
Benteke would be yet another impressive haul for the team and would be Liverpool's seventh signing since the conclusion of the season, joining James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne, Firmino, Ings, Joe Gomez, and Adam Bogdan.