The Reds are eager to get some more firepower – but will the money they potentially save on Fernando Llorente make up for the production of Christian Benteke?
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Liverpool have reportedly pulled out of the race for Aston Villa superstar Christian Benteke and have instead set their sights on Juventus striker Fernando Llorente.
According to the Daily Mail, the Reds are unwilling to match the £32.5 million buy-out price to bring Benteke into the fold. The Daily Mail believes that Liverpool has the Belgian striker valued at £21 million. In lieu of Benteke, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers appears to have his sights set on Llorente and Seville’s Carlos Bacca. The 30-year-old Llorente is coming off a season with 7 league goals in 31 league appearances, but has recorded 10+ goal seasons in six out of the last eight years. Bacca, however, could be the bigger prize having scored at least 12 goals in every single year since 2006.
The Daily Mail reported that Llorente may be made available for as little as £12 million – pennies on the dollar compared to Benteke and well within Brendan Rodgers’ purchasing power. On the other hand, Bacca would be a little bit more expensive with a £21 million release clause.
Benteke finished 9th in the Premier League among goal scorers with 13 and was one of only nine to record a hat trick. The 24-year-old was also one of the primary reasons the Villans were able to stave of relegation, much less make it to the FA Cup Final.
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