Reports had been circulating that Belgian striker Christian Benteke is extremely close in signing with Premiere League club Liverpool FC as he is currently in London for his medical, which is a formality to the impending transfer, according to Daily Mail Online.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the 24-year-old forward is keen on leaving Aston Villa for Anfield and that he is ready to talk to manager Tim Sherwood to let him go. It seemed like the meeting was a success as the Belgium international is now on his way to the transfer that he had been wishing for.
The Reds and the Villas are also currently negotiating how to structure Benteke's £32.5 million transfer fee. It was indicated that after extensive discussion, a downpayment of £16 million was already released to Liverpool.
According to Mirror Online, club physician Andy Massey, who flew back to England from a preseason game in Australia, will oversee the tests that will take around two days to complete. It is expected that the formal signing and announcement of the Kinshasa, Zaire native will be made within the week.
The 6-foot-3 Benteke is considered as one of the most reliable goal scorers in the Premiere League these past couple of years as he scored 49 goals in 100 appearances during his three-year stint with the Lions.
He is set to join Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino as the Reds' newest acquisitions and are projected to make their club debuts on August 1 in a friendly match against Veikkausliiga club HJK Helsinki at the Sonera Stadium in Helsinki.