The phrase ‘bite their hands off’ comes to mind.
West Ham are currently flush with cash. Their fans may be sad to be leaving the Boleyn Ground (did you hear about that? It’s been mentioned once or twice), but their heavily subsidised move to the Olympic Stadium will generate the club huge extra revenues each season.
They’re looking to reinvest some of this into Slaven Bilic’s playing staff, and top of their shopping list is a brand new centre-forward. Numerous news outlets have identified Liverpool’s Christian Benteke as their number one target, and Dave Sullivan practically admitted as much to Sky Sports.
BREAKING: #WHUFC co-chairman David Sullivan tells #SSNHQ club has bid £24m for a player. https://t.co/Me0fnVat8t
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 9, 2016
With around £25m seemingly on the table, that’s the significant portion of what Liverpool payed for the big Belgian when Brendan Rodgers signed him from Aston Villa. Since then of course Rodgers has left and new boss Jurgen Klopp doesn’t seem to rate him quite as highly.
To say that Liverpool fans are sweet on the deal is something of an understatement. Below are just a few of the pleasantly surprised reactions. One thing is abundantly clear – if he were to make the switch, Benteke would have no shortage of chauffeurs to ferry him down to London.
£25 million for Benteke!? If that happens! #LFC pic.twitter.com/1FhcWttma9
— Cyps (@Cyps_Rum) May 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/MrPatCake/status/729715885179600896
£25m for Benteke? Yes. Yes we can do that. pic.twitter.com/elHpvRbsGW
— Eamonn Campbell* (@1892eamonn) May 10, 2016
Whoever scouts for West Ham needs sacking, £25M for Benteke ? 😂😂😂
— Clucking Bantams .🐓🏴 (@toddmustgo) May 10, 2016
Please make it happen. 25 million for Benteke is criminal money 😂 pic.twitter.com/Jsf7pxlq5g
— Flex Valentino (@Flex_Valentino) May 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/ranvir_10/status/729966255516569600
https://twitter.com/CooperMRFC/status/729956955415035904
Hahaha lmao "@JimGreen_81: Benteke can't even get a high 5 on target. https://t.co/DGo3CHOySo"
— Ericović ™ (@EricoDrogba) May 9, 2016
Jesus, if West Ham bid £25m for Benteke we should hand deliver him. At least Skrtle won't be here to defend against him next season.
— Floyd (@TheFNundy) May 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/CrosbyDave/status/729937010232856576
Would definitely take £25m for Benteke.
— Virgil 4 (@ThisKop) May 10, 2016
West Ham are mental if the Benteke reports have any truth in them
— Tony Blundetto (HE'S/DEAD TIRED) (@WillSutton78) May 10, 2016
Meanwhile in East London…
£25 Million bid for Benteke!? pic.twitter.com/dbKkLrqK3r
— theboleyn (@theboleyn) May 10, 2016
