Villa fight to keep Benteke

Cape Town - With more than £44 million in the bank, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is reportedly eyeing a deal to bring Aston Villa forward Christian Benteke to Merseyside this summer.

The Mirror reports that Aston Villa will not negotiate a lower fee for star striker Christian Benteke.

Benteke has a £32.5 million buy-out clause in his contract which his current club hope will be enough to keep Liverpool from signing the player.

Liverpool want Benteke at Anfield but are reluctant to match the Belgian's release clause, which is believed to be the reason the deal has been held up.

The 24-year-old striker has scored 49 goals in 101 appearances since joining Villa from Belgian side Genk for £7 million.

The same source also reports that Rickie Lambert could be on the move with West Bromwich Albion interested in the ageing striker.