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Cape Town - Liverpool have received a major boost in their pursuit of Aston Villa's Belgium striker Christian Benteke, who is set to tell his employers he wants to leave the club this summer.
The Guardian reports that Benteke will inform the club's manager on Wednesday of his decision to seek an exit from Aston Villa.
Benteke has a £32.5 million buy-out clause in his contract, which Villa have reportedly told all interested clubs is the minimum fee that must be paid to secure a transfer for his services.
The Premier League club are hoping to keep hold of the tall Belgian and know that he will be determined to have a strong season regardless due to the looming Euro 2016 championships.
The 24-year-old striker has scored 49 goals in 101 appearances since joining Villa from Belgian side Genk for £7 million.
Liverpool are reportedly the only club in the running for Benteke's signature and will reluctantly pay Benteke's full buy-out clause to push the move through.
Liverpool have already made six summer additions as Rodgers looks to challenge for the Premier League next season. The new recruits are Roberto Firmino James Milner, Danny Ings, Joe Gomez, Adam Bogdan and Nathaniel Clyne.
