Liverpool striker Christian Benteke. (Photo : Getty Images)
Crystal Palace recently submitted an improved bid of £31.5 million to fellow English Premier League side Liverpool for the team's flop Belgian striker Christian Benteke as head coach Alan Pardew looks to upgrade his attacking options in the coming 2016-2017 season.
If the deal pushes through, Benteke's massive transfer fee is said to become the new club record for the Eagles after the team recently broke it with last week's signing of winger Andros Townsend from Newcastle United for £13 million.
Crystal Palace initially made a £25 million offer for the 25-year-old forward, who was acquired by the Anfield giants last season from relegated squad Aston Villa for £32.5 million, as soon as England's summer transfer window opened on July 1 but it was immediately turned down by the Reds.
The Guardian noted that the Glaziers' "new proposal is understood to be worth an initial £27m, with further fees linked to appearances, achievements and the club's ability to qualify for Europe", which could eventually total to around £31.5 million.
Personal compensation is said to be of no issue for Benteke even as his image rights are still being discussed because the Zaire-born Belgian is allegedly keen on reviving his career for both club and country.
Benteke was included in the Belgium national team that competed in this summer's Euro 2016, but he was not fielded in by head coach Marc Wilmots throughout the said tournament, as per Caught Offside.
The report also said that "given his incompatibility issues" with the Reds' system and particularly that of new manager Jürgen Klopp, Benteke will not resist to the transfer.
Benteke netted 10 goals in a total of 42 appearances in all competitions for the Merseyside squad last term, slightly lower than the 15 he scored for Aston Villa the season before. In three seasons with the Villans, Benteke had scored an impressive 49 goals in 101 games in all competitions, which made him one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe at that time.
However, after going through an evident drop in form at the Anfield in 2015-2016, Klopp is rumored to be eager to sell his flop striker this summer as he already has Daniel Sturridge, Robert Firmino, Divock Origi, Danny Ings, and the newly-acquired Sadio Mané at his disposal next season.
