Everton reportedly wanted to sign Christian Benteke from Liverpool last summer – and want him again after an excellent season with Crystal Palace.
Reports that Everton could consider replacing the talismanic Romelu Lukaku with Belgian international team-mate Christian Benteke have been met with howls of derision from a large group of supporters.
After all, it’s only just over a year since Everton fans were sniggering in the background as Benteke failed to make any sort of impression at Merseyside rivals Liverpool.
However, the Daily Mail claim that the 26-year-old could make a shock return to Merseyside this summer. The report adds that Benteke is content with life at Crystal Palace but is highly regarded among the staff at Goodison Park, who view him as an alternative to top target Olivier Giroud.
Goals were few and far between for Christian Benteke at Liverpool
Yet, this is not the first time Benteke has been linked with a surprise move to the blue half of Merseyside. The Mirror reported this time last year that Everton were hoping to snatch Benteke from their arch rivals with Chelsea prepared to pay big for Lukaku.
However, while Liverpool were determined to sell the striker, who they had bought from Aston Villa for £32.5 million a year previously (BBC), it always appeared unlikely that they would risk him finding form again across Stanley Park.
And, on reflection, perhaps that benefitted Everton. After all, Benteke notched just nine Premier League goals in a disappointing debut season at Anfield, struggling to fit into Jurgen Klopp’s technical and fast-paced frontline.
However, he located his shooting boots during a redemptive year at Crystal Palace, firing The Eagles to safety with 15 goals in 36 games.
Benteke was back to his best at Palace
Therefore, Everton are targeting a striker back towards the top of his game rather than the hulking, confidence-bereft figure that spent most of the 2015/16 season slumped on the Anfield bench.
Benteke may not be the Lukaku replacement fans had dreamed of but he’d surely be a far more astute signing now than 12 months ago.
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