Crystal Palace should cut their losses on striker Christian Benteke, because it then encourages an even firmer stance over star man Wilfried Zaha.
The Eagles paid Liverpool £27 million plus £5 million in add-ons in 2016 to sign the Belgian, but it’s been a pretty poor stint at Selhurst Park for the big man.
The 27-year-old has made 70 appearances in all competitions and has scored 20 goals, only three of which came last season as he struggled to find any sort of confidence.
According to a report from Turkish paper Fanatik, Benteke is a transfer target of Besiktas – and it could be in the club’s best interests to take a hit on the striker and focus their attentions on keeping hold of Wilfried Zaha.
Selling Benteke further emphasises the need to keep the Ivorian, who made a mid-season transition in 2017/18 to play as a central striker.
Zaha – who has been linked with Tottenham and Liverpool – was always effective from wide positions, but was just as dangerous when shifted inside by manger Roy Hodgson. He was instrumental in Palace’s Premier League run-in, as Benteke watched on mainly from the bench.
There is no reason why Palace, with a few summer investments, can’t challenge for a Europa League finish next season, but they cannot under no circumstances lose Zaha if that’s something they wish to achieve. Selling Benteke forces them to get tough with regard to rebuffing big offers from other clubs.
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