Liverpool striker Christian Benteke has emerged as the transfer target for Juventus. The Belgium international was signed by former Reds manager Brendan Rodgers from Aston Villa last summer. However, the Northern Irishman has been shown the exit door by the Merseyside club's board and has been replaced by Jurgen Klopp.
According to Gazzetaworld (Gazzetta dello Sport's English website), the Italian giants are looking to provide an escape route to the frontman after the end of the season. Liverpool paid a fee of £32.5m to Villa to acquire his services.
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Benteke has after Klopp arrived at Anfield and has lost his place in the starting lineup. The Borussia Dortmund manager has preferred his compatriot Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge ahead of him, which has seen him become out of favour.
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“What’s annoying me the most is that I would have never signed for Liverpool if I wasn’t the manager’s first choice,” Benteke explained.
“Since I went to England in 2012, I’ve never been on the bench for such a long period. It hurts, especially since I never was as fit as I am now.
“When a coach says he wanted to buy you when he was at Borussia Dortmund and ignores you, then it’s difficult to understand. Some team-mates told me I was lucky when Klopp signed, because I would be certain to play.
“But with all the things I’ve experienced throughout my career, I knew it could go wrong fast. I wasn’t wrong.
“I’m the first to admit that I haven’t shown my worth enough for a team like Liverpool. On the other hand, under Brendan Rodgers, I knew I would get the opportunity to show my qualities, to show that I was worth the money and that I deserved to wear the shirt of Liverpool. But now....”
Lack of playing time at Liverpool has raised concerns over the ex-Villa striker's future at the club beyond the end of the ongoing campaign. Juventus are willing to land him as the Old Lady are looking to add more fire power to their existing strike force, which boast the likes of Álvaro Morata, Mario Mandzuki and Paulo Dybala.
The Serie A winners are willing to offer €25m (£19.9m) fee to Liverpool in order to secure Benteke's signature. The Reds could jump on the opportunity in order to recover the money they paid for him last year.
Benteke has featured in 25 league matches, which includes only 12 appearances. The striker revealed that he regrets joining Liverpool and is unhappy due to the lack of playing time under Klopp.
