Sky Sports: West Brom in talks over short-term striker move, wages a sticking point
West Brom are in talks with Crystal Palace over a short-term deal for striker Christian Benteke, according to Sky Sports.
Last week the Daily Mail reported that the Baggies were among the 30-year-old’s potential suitors and it looks like they have now firmed up that interest.
Sam Allardyce has seen his striker options dwindle with the exit of Charlie Austin on loan alongside the injury sustained by Karlan Grant leaving just Callum Robinson and Hal Robson-Kanu as options to front the Albion attack.
However Sky Sports have now reported that Albion are in talks with Premier League rivals Palace over a short-term deal for Benteke with the Belgian international free to leave following the recent arrival of Jean-Philippe Mateta at Selhurst Park.
The clubs are said to be haggling over the distribution of his wages, though, with finances tight at The Hawthorns meaning that Benteke’s current owners will have to fork out for some of the significant £120,000 per week [spotrac] he earns.
While Palace are understood to be listening to offers for a player whose deal runs out in less than six months there is still considerable distance between the two clubs in terms of an imminent deal.
Good move for all
A short-term deal is probably a move that would suit all parties.
Benteke’s substantial wages mean he would have to take a big cut if he was to permanently move to The Hawthorns so a deal where Palace are footing some of the bill means he does not have to drop his demands and West Brom will be able to afford him.
Albion will be getting a Premier League-proven striker who will be desperate to show his worth ahead of a potential lucrative free agent move in the summer while Palace will free up some funds to reinvest elsewhere.
Benteke is a player well-known to Allardyce after starring for him when he successfully staved off relegation with the south-London club in the 2016/17 season.
He scored 15 goals that season as Big Sam managed to get the best out of the powerful striker and he will be hoping to inspire a similar turnaround during this campaign if a deal can be struck.
Benteke has only bagged three league goals this season with two of them coming against Albion in a 5-1 win.
With only Sheffield United and Burnley (both 10) scoring fewer goals than West Brom (15) this is clearly an area where improvement is greatly needed.
In other West Brom news, Krovinovic sends heartwarming farewell to Albion fans.
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.