Tottenham Hotspur appear to be out of the running to sign in-demand Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke.
The Daily Star suggests that Spurs are one of several Premier League clubs that hold an interest in the Belgian international.
Further to that, The Mirror claims that Tottenham were hoping to gain an advantage over Liverpool in the pursuit of Benteke by offering Emmanuel Adebayor to Villa in part-exchange.
But the London Evening Standard understands that the 24-year-old would turn down a switch to White Hart Lane even if a deal was agreed between the two clubs, as he still harbours bitterness over a failed transfer in 2013.
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The Mirror reports that Benteke handed in a transfer request in 2013, after his prolific 19-goal debut season at Villa, as a come-and-get-me plea to Spurs, but an approach from the Londoners was never forthcoming.
If Spurs have missed the boat on the powerful forward then they have let a genuine match-winner slip through their hands.
Benteke rediscovered his mojo in the second half of last campaign, scoring 11 goals in 2015 to help the Villans avoid relegation.
He scored 42% of Villa’s goals in the top flight, despite only starting 68% of the games.
Tottenham’s loss could be Liverpool’s gain, with the London Evening Standard expanding that Benteke’s secondary reason for snubbing Spurs would be that he would rather hold out for a move to Liverpool.
Reds manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted to The Independent that signing a new striker is his priority in this summer window as he looks to assemble a squad capable of guaranteeing a Champions League return.
The Independent also claims that Anfield bosses had previously baulked at Benteke’s £32.5m release clause.
However, they may reconsider now that Carlos Bacca, who Sky Sports report held talks with Liverpool, is on his way to AC Milan, according to Sky.
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