Everton had reportedly been considering making a move for Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke.
According to a recent report from Sky Sports, Everton are interested in pursuing a deal for Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke this summer as Ronald Koeman looks to replace Romelu Lukaku following the Belgian’s switch to Manchester United.
Though Benteke boasts a decent Premier League record – with his lowest tally in a season proving to be the nine he got during his one year with Liverpool – it would arguably be a gamble to pursue a deal.
Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke
The Daily Mirror has suggested that the Eagles do not want to sell the man they signed for £27 million one year ago, so it would surely be a surprise if they were happy to let him go for anything less than what they paid for him.
Therefore, it would surely be wiser for the Toffees to consider following up on their interest in Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho rather than pursue a deal for Benteke – whose record in England is good without really being spectacular.
The Sun reported back in May that Everton wanted the 20-year-old, and given his strike-rate during his brief career at the Etihad Stadium, he would arguably be a fantastic addition during this summer that appears to be signalling in a new era at Goodison Park.
Iheanacho averages a goal every 104 minutes in the Premier League and Champions League, according to WhoScored.com, and that is an incredibly impressive record given that he has started just 13 times in the two competitions.
City’s strength up front perhaps also hints that they may be much more willing to do a deal than Palace appear to be with Benteke, and that should tempt Koeman to take a punt on Iheanacho who clearly has the potential to get considerably better in the coming years and ultimately fill the void that Lukaku has left behind.
Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
