West Ham are reportedly keen to sell Enner Valencia, and put money towards a deal for Christian Benteke.
Enner Valencia celebrates scoring for West Ham
According to Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, Lazio’s loan bid for West Ham striker Enner Valencia will be rejected, as the Hammers want cash for a bid to sign Liverpool’s Christian Benteke.
Valencia, 26, was snapped up by West Ham back in the summer of 2014, after the Ecuador international starred at the World Cup in Brazil, scoring all three of Ecuador’s goals during the competition.
A winger or striker, Valencia impressed with his pace and aerial ability for Ecuador, with West Ham hoping that he could replicate his success in the Premier League.
However, he hasn’t lived up to expectations so far, scoring just ten goals in over 50 games for the club, and failing to even nail down a regular place in Slaven Bilic’s side last season.
With Bilic looking to improve his attacking options this summer, Valencia’s position is at risk – and Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Lazio want to take him to Italy.
It’s claimed that Lazio are willing to offer €2m (£1.7m) for a season-long loan deal, with an option to purchase Valencia for €13m (£11.15m) in a year’s time – but West Ham aren’t interested in such an agreement.
The report adds that West Ham will refuse a loan deal as they want to sell Valencia, and put the funds towards a deal for Liverpool striker Christian Benteke.
The Belgian international, 25, only joined Liverpool from Aston Villa last summer, but with just ten goals in 42 games for the Reds last season, he appears to be on his way out of Anfield.
Reports from The Guardian claim that Crystal Palace have lodged a £31.5m bid to try and land Benteke, meaning West Ham are running out of time to land the giant forward – and with Lazio seemingly unwilling to buy Valencia right now, the Hammers could miss out on Benteke to London rivals Palace.
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