The *other* summer transfer saga is close to an end.
Paul Pogba’s Manchester United move is old news now, and attention has turned to Christian Benteke.
The Belgian striker has been linked with a move away from Liverpool all summer, and now it seems Crystal Palace have met the Anfield club’s asking price.
Christian Benteke is finally on his way to Crystal Palace who have agreed a £32m package with Liverpool. £27m up front with £5m in add ons.
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) August 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/eaamalyon/status/766337974619480064
Benteke was left out of Jurgen Klopp’s squad for the 4-3 Premier League win away at Arsenal, and has looked likely to leave ever since the German took over from Brendan Rodgers last autumn.
However, while things haven’t quite worked out for him on Merseyside, Benteke remains a very able footballer.
The phrase ‘good for all parties’ is thrown around a lot, but it’s often untrue.
In this case, however, it seems like everyone genuinely will gain something from the deal.
So for every comment like this from a Liverpool fan…
https://twitter.com/c_soonrich/status/766340583631847424
There’s one from a Palace supporter like this
Liverpool fans are happy to have recouped the fee they paid Aston Villa for the frontman last summer.
https://twitter.com/eSportsGeorge/status/766342881221156864
But Palace aren’t worried about having overpaid.
https://twitter.com/supernwa/status/766343127460376578
And of course there’s this…
https://twitter.com/Julien1886/status/766338399917764608
The Reds can put the money to good use
Finally, benteke is out the door. Klopp Pls sign DMF and we will win the league. #LFC
— Widox (@Widox09) August 18, 2016
And as for Alan Pardew’s side? They ought to be able to make up for the loss of Dwight Gayle…and then some.
https://twitter.com/eaamalyon/status/766339082557517824
See – a great deal for all concerned. And that includes the player himself.
Alex Livesey/Getty Images