Liverpool have completed the £32.5million signing of striker Christian Benteke from Aston Villa.
The Reds had met the release clause in the striker’s contract and Villa had very little power to prevent the 24-year-old joining the Merseysider’s. The striker has signed a five-year deal at Anfield.
Benteke has been prolific in front of goal for Villa since his arrival from Genk three years ago and had scored 49 goals in 101 appearances for the Villans.
He is one of only six players to have scored ten or more goals in the last three Premier League campaigns.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers had been desperate to add firepower to his attack this summer, after the Reds scored just 52 Premier League goals last season.
Rodgers has already recruited Danny Ings from Burnley, while Divock Origi will return to the Reds after signing from Lille and being allowed to remain with the French club on-loan last season.
The attacking signings could allow the Reds boss to sell the likes of Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini, who all struggled at Liverpool last season and have been linked with summer moves.
Benteke is sure to add strength and pace to the Liverpool attack, as Rodgers is set to field a completely new look attack in an attempt at finishing in the Premier League’s top four in the coming season.
A title challenge looks to be a step too far for the Merseysider’s, but with the raft of new signings a place in the top four does not look totally out of their reach.
Will Christian Benteke be a good signing for Liverpool?
Great signing by Liverpool! I’m sure that if he stays injury free he’ll bang in at least 25 goals…