Everton were linked with a move for Christian Benteke, but Crystal Palace boss Frank De Boer has insisted that he wants the Belgian to stay.
According to a recent report from the Daily Mirror, Everton are keen on signing Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke as they look to replace Romelu Lukaku.
The Mirror reported earlier this month that Palace spent £32 million on the Belgian last summer, and he repaid that faith with a decent first year at Selhurst Park.
Nevertheless, the fact that he was not signed by new boss Frank De Boer may have given Everton some hope that a decent deal could be done if the Dutchman was, for any reason, less keen on the forward.
Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke
But based on De Boer’s comments regarding the striker’s future, as reported by Sky Sports, it is surely time for the Toffees to turn their attention elsewhere as it is clear that he is a fan.
“He had a great impact last season, especially in the second half of the season. He’s crucial for us and we definitely don’t want to see him go,” he said, as reported by Sky Sports.
By describing the former Aston Villa man as crucial, De Boer is surely highlighting that it may take an even more astronomical offer than perhaps first thought to tempt Palace into a sale.
And while Ronald Koeman would be signing a decent player if he brought Benteke to Goodison Park, his record in the Premier League perhaps does not make a deal worthwhile given De Boer’s desire to keep him coupled with the fee they paid for him last summer.
In 154 top flight games in England, Benteke has scored 66 times. And while that is undoubtedly impressive, it is surely not the kind of strike-rate that should tempt the Toffees into making Benteke their number one striker target if he is only available for a fee that would see Palace make a healthy profit on the £32 million they spent on him last year.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
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