Manchester United could be set to go head-to-head with Liverpool for the signature of Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke.
According to the Daily Mail, following the confirmed departure of Robin van Persie to Fenerbahce combined with Radamel Falcao having left Old Trafford at the end of last season, a striker may have suddenly become a priority signing for Louis van Gaal.
The recent loss of the Netherlands international has left United with Wayne Rooney as the club’s solitary senior centre-forward, and with youngster James Wilson perhaps considered not ready for regular first-team action, the club could be short on attacking firepower – unless they act in this summer’s window.
Benteke has a release-clause of £32.5m written into his Villa Park contract – which is rumoured to be a price too steep for Liverpool – and while having not yet made any contact with the forward, van Gaal is said to be considering an offer, the Daily Mail report.
The English newspaper state that the Red Devils are keeping a close eye on any developments regarding the Reds’ interest in the Belgium international.
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While the Daily Mail suggest that Benteke is a top target for the Red Devils, Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani has also emerged on United’s transfer wish list – with a swap deal involving the Uruguay international and Angel Di Maria allegedly having been tabled [via the Express].
Having signed winger Memphis Depay, right-back Matteo Darmian, and central midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin [via Sky Sports], while reportedly remaining eager to sign centre-backs Sergio Ramos and Nicolas Otamendi [via talkSPORT], van Gaal could be set to reshuffle his entire senior squad ahead of the 2015-16 campaign.