Christian Benteke’s Anfield nightmare is finally over after the Belgian swapped Liverpool for Crystal Palace this summer.
However, the striker’s future could have been sorted much sooner.
The Express report that Benteke turned down the chance to move to the Chinese Super League in a £45million deal in January, because he wanted to remain in one of the best leagues in the world.
At times during the transfer window, it looked as if the forward might not be leaving Merseyside at all, with the Reds haggling over his price.
Now that he has sealed his switch to Selhurst Park, though, he has a point to prove.
While at Aston Villa, Benteke scored 42 goals in 89 appearances, and it was that kind of form that earned him his big shot at Liverpool. At Anfield, it was a very different story, and he found the back of the net just nine times.
A move to China arguably wouldn’t have proven anything at all, as there are still major doubts about the strength of the league.
Palace, on the other hand, are in desperate need of a goalscorer, so it could be down to Benteke to keep them up this season.
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