Liverpool striker Christian Benteke appears to be closing in on a move to Crystal Palace, but the Belgian has yet to agree personal terms with the Eagles.
The 25-year-old endured a tough year at Anfield last season, as he struggled to establish himself as a starter under Jurgen Klopp.
With doubts over whether or not he can fit into the German tactician’s plans, a move elsewhere has become a more realistic end result for him and as reported by The Guardian on Thursday, the club reached an agreement with Palace for an initial £27m fee, with an additional £5m in add-ons.
Alan Pardew has since addressed the media and has revealed that Benteke will undergo a medical on Friday and while the deal is agreed with Liverpool, personal terms have yet to be signed off.
AP on Benteke: “He’ll have his medical today but personal terms have to be done. We’ve agreed everything with Liverpool.”
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 19, 2016
Palace fell to defeat in their opening game of the new Premier League season last weekend, and have also lost Yannick Bolasie and Mile Jedinak this week to Everton and Aston Villa respectively.
In turn, Pardew will be desperate to lift spirits and add quality to his squad as quickly as possible, as he looks to avoid seeing the situation spiral and land both himself and the club in further trouble.
The signing of Benteke wold certainly tick that box, and the former Villa striker would undoubtedly be a better fit at Selhurst Park than he is at Anfield, which should result in seeing him return to better form.
With Villa’s play geared around making the most of his qualities, Pardew will hope to have the secret to success and benefit from the Belgian’s talent where Klopp didn’t as he continues to move in a different direction with a whole host of quality attackers at his disposal.