Report details major Christian Benteke development amid West Brom speculation
West Brom target Christian Benteke wants to be released by Crystal Palace after the January transfer window closes, according to The Sun.
The Daily Mail reported earlier this week that the Albion are considering a move for the 30-year-old former Aston Villa striker.
Crystal Palace have signed Jean-Philippe Mateta from Mainz and it is understood they’re willing to get rid of Benteke, whose contract expires in the summer.
However, an update by The Sun suggests the Baggies could sign Benteke on a free transfer after the January transfer window closes as the target man wants to receive a payout from Palace next month so he can find a new club as a free agent.
As free agents go…
West Brom desperately need to sign a new centre-forward as soon as possible because Karlan Grant is injured, Hal Robson-Kanu struggles for goals, Charlie Austin has joined QPR on loan and Callum Robinson only seems capable of scoring versus Chelsea.
Of course, there are other sources of goals in this team with Matheus Pereira and Semi Ajayi on fire as of late. However, there’s nothing like keeping a team up than a striker who scores goals for fun.
Benteke, unfortunately, isn’t that kind of striker but, as free agents go, we could do a lot worse.
Benteke is someone who could hold the ball up, win aerial duels and bring players like Pereira into play more often. He could also take advantage of the set-piece expertise that Pereira and Robert Snodgrass can offer.
However, former Albion striker Kevin Phillips has recently cast doubt about whether Benteke would be a good signing for Sam Allardyce in a recent interview with West Brom News.
He said: “It could [make sense] but Benteke frustrates me.
“You’ve seen the good side and bad side of him and for me, is he the sort of player you can rely on when you’re sitting second from bottom of the league? You want someone to come in and scrap, fight and put their bodies on the line.
“I’m just not sure what kind of Benteke you’d be getting.”
Phillips is obviously someone we’re going to listen to when it comes to potential new striker signings at The Hawthorns but in a strange new market with limited funds, Albion are beggars and not choosers.
In other West Brom news, Albion reportedly re-ignite interest in 95-cap star.
Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Baggies and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.