Everton boss Ronald Koeman wants to replace Romelu Lukaku with Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke
Benteke has revived his career in his year at Selhurst Park and new Eagles boss Frank de Boer will fight to keep his striker away from fellow Dutchman Ronald Koeman
EVERTON are weighing up a swoop for Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke.
Toffees boss Ronald Koeman has a massive hole to fill in attack left by Romelu Lukaku who joined Manchester United this week for £75million.
The Eagles are adamant Benteke is going nowhere and new boss Frank de Boer is looking to build his strike force around the big Belgian international.
The report Benteke was on Koeman’s radar when the Dutchman was in charge at Southampton, but the striker opted to join Liverpool from Aston Villa two years ago.
Benteke struggled at Anfield and has kick-started his career at Selhurst Park, scoring 15 league goals for the Eagles including a double against Liverpool at Anfield in 2-1 league win.
Palace shelled out a club record £27million fee to bag the 26-year-old striker last summer and will not want lose him after a successful 12 months in South-East London.
Everton could test the Londoners resolve with a bid, but with Palace signing the hitman for £27m last summer they would command a fee significantly higher to consider doing business.
Benteke has all the qualities to replace Lukaku with his pace, strength and ability in the air, and could be a perfect foil for the returning Wayne Rooney.
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is another option for Koeman, as the lack of game time at the Emirates last season and the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette could force the striker to leave for regular football ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
Meanwhile the Merseysiders are pushing ahead with their summer spending plans and are expected to go back in for Swansea playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson after an opening gambit of £25m was turned down.