Liverpool are set to meet the £32.5m release clause of Aston Villa’s Belgium striker Christian Benteke, triggering a potential transfer.
The 24-year-old scored 12 goals in 12 games at the end of 2014-15 season to help keep Villa in the Premier League.
Now that the Reds have received funds from the £49m sale of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City, they are prepared to meet the asking price.
Benteke still has two years left on his contract at Villa.
England striker Daniel Sturridge made only 18 appearances for Liverpool last season because of a succession of injuries and is out until September with a hip problem.
Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is believed to want cover as he seeks to re-establish his team in the Champions League, having finished sixth in the Premier League last season.
Chief executive Ian Ayre is with Rodgers and his squad for the second leg of their pre-season tour in Brisbane, Australia, but will still handle negotiations with Villa.
Earlier, Rodgers said that despite the departure of England forward Sterling, 20, Liverpool could still attract top players, reports the BBC.
“Players are always going to want to come to Liverpool, it’s such an iconic club, it’s a great club,” he said.
“The challenge for us is to get back in amongst the top teams, hopefully that continues to attract players.”
Benteke joined Aston Villa from Genk in August 2012 for £7million and has scored 49 goals in 101 appearances.
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