Could this Liverpool forward be one of Crystal Palace’s alternatives to Batshuayi?

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Christian Benteke

News has emerged recently that Christian Benteke is possibly headed to South London from Liverpool. Palace originally offered £25 million but The Anfield outfit have insisted upon £30 million plus add-ons.

The Eagles are currently weighing up the counter-offer and just as well they should. Benteke was far from his best this season at Liverpool. Despite getting an acceptable nine goals in 29 appearances, the Belgian was often criticized for being lazy, passive, and lost in the penalty area. Benteke’s campaign at Liverpool drew a stark contrast to his time at Aston Villa, as he mustered 13 goals in 29 appearances for The Villains in 2014/2015 with considerably worse service upfront.

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Benteke would be a great addition to the squad, but only at the right price. What was a “bad” season last year on Merseyside was better than anything any other Palace striker produced, and Benteke has shown the effect he can have on a match in the way he helped keep Aston Villa up in 2013/2014 and 2014/2015. Many times last season, Crystal Palace needed a spark to change the match and turn it on its head, but had no one with clinical finishing to do that.

Benteke is great in the air and will be well-served by Wilfried Zaha, Yannick Bolasie, and indeed new signing Andros Townsend (should he play on the wing). Like Connor Wickham, his hold-up game is strong and could be a brilliant player for Palace on the counter-attack, knocking it off to those around him with more pace, like Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie.

Steve Parish will have to negotiate the right price for the move to be worth it. Benteke is rumoured to be asking for a salary rise. Add that to a £30 million price tag and Benteke becomes a big risk. Set to be a club record transfer, Pardew will need to make sure he can galvanise the best from the big Belgian.