According to the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace are willing to sell Christian Benteke for £12m, with Burnley interested in signing the striker.
What’s the story?
Well, Burnley have just lost Chris Wood to Premier League rivals Newcastle, and have decided to shop at Crystal Palace for a replacement.
The Daily Mail believe Burnley have enquired about Benteke’s situation at Selhurst Park, and the response from south London has been encouraging.
Crystal Palace are open to selling the 31-year-old, who cost them £27m when arriving from Liverpool in 2016.
Should Burnley meet the £12m asking price and Benteke leaves, it would see the south Londoners take a £15m loss on their club-record signing.
Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be a nightmare. The Belgium international’s contract runs out in June 2023, meaning he’ll enter the final year of his deal next season.
The prospect of losing their No.20 for nothing is seemingly behind Crystal Palace’s willingness to sell.
Crystal Palace must replace Christian Benteke
Patrick Vieira should only sanction this deal if a replacement for the former Aston Villa frontman arrives in SE25 this month.
If Benteke departs, it would leave Crystal Palace with just Odsonne Edouard and Jean-Philippe Mateta as their only options at centre-forward.
Mateta is only on loan until June, so Vieira’s striking depth would be very thin if Benteke left.
The Times believe talks have been held with Arsenal over a move for Eddie Nketiah, which is interesting.
If progress is made in those negotiations, then perhaps the Eagles will feel comfortable to let Benteke leave – of course, only time will tell what happens.
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