Tuesday morning and we already have news that Benteke is going nowhere.
This transfer window has been very backward. Any Liverpool deal which seemed imminent (Piotr Zielinski) immediately folds in on itself inexplicably. The latest ‘done deal’ to collapse is Christian Benteke’s supposed £30 million move to Crystal Palace.
Yesterday, the transfer seemed closer than ever. Today, the deal has been quashed by Benteke’s agent, Kismet Eris.
According to Sky Sports, Eris suggests there is “nothing in these” reports and reminds Sky Sports journalists that Benteke still has four years left on his five year deal. The former Villa man cost Liverpool £32.5 million and yielded only 10 goals in all competitions. That’s £3.25 million per goal – quite expensive.
However, the Belgian seems keen to stay on Merseyside and fit his way back into the Liverpool team. It’s quite respectable really.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
In other, more ridiculous news, Liverpool have been linked with Julian Draxler for a fanciful £52 million. While I’m not disputing the young German international’s quality it’s more a case of Liverpool not ever paying that much for anyone.
It would be quite refreshing to see Fenway Sports Group invest in talents like Draxler but alas, we’ll have to content ourselves with signing Pierre-Emile Højbjerg next season from Southampton for 3 times his real value. You can understand my cynicism as Liverpool sell players like Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling for a combined £164 million and then sign players like Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Christian Benteke for £48.5 million.
Fenway Sports Group’s obsession with making a profit is restricting Liverpool’s ability to compete. With rivals, Manchester United bidding £120 million for Paul Pogba is a bit disheartening.
That being said, I have total confidence in the work that Jurgen Klopp is doing and I back everything he is doing.