Liverpool’s failure to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League could cost them the chance at luring Belgian striker Christian Benteke to the club this summer.
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The Reds have been tipped to make a move for the Aston Villa forward in an attempt to fill the void that has been left by Luis Suarez’ departure to Barcelona last summer.
After finishing as runners-up to Manchester City and scoring over 100 goals in the 2013-14 season, this year was extremely frustrating for the Merseyside outfit as they finished sixth and could only muster a total of 52 goals.
Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert were brought in last year to add firepower but could only manage three league goals between them, while Daniel Sturridge struggled with injuries throughout the campaign.
Those factors have seen Benteke become a reported target, however, it would appear he seems certain to reject a move to Anfield following comments that have been attributed to him by Daily Star Sport:
“My agent knows my ambition. I want to play in the Champions League. That’s a dream and my ambition,” he said.
His ambition of wanting to play in Europe’s elite competition would leave Chelsea as the front-runners for his signature after reports in Mirror Sport suggested the Blues are watching the situation closely.