Earlier in the year, it was reported that Liverpool and Man United were battling it out to sign Burnley striker Danny Ings at the end of the season. It seems Liverpool may have won that battle but now both clubs are going head to head once again.
The Telegraph are reporting that Christian Benteke is the man in demand as both Brendan Rodgers and Louis Van Gaal look to fill significant holes in their squad.
Liverpool are in dire need of reinforcements up front. The ongoing fitness struggles of Daniel Sturridge and the expected sales of Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini could leave Liverpool without a fit senior striker at the start of next season.
It looks like Ings will be added but the Burnley striker would probably not be enough to assuage fan's fears that another poor season could be on the way. £30 million worth of Belgian power could change that.
The Aston Villa man found his form in the second half of the season and looked back to his dangerous best, something which has seemingly convinced Brendan Rodgers to make him the man to turn around Liverpool's fortunes.
However, Man United are also in the need for reinforcements up front and Benteke is being lined up to take on the mantle of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao. The Colombian has already left Old Trafford, while Van Persie's future is far from certain. That could leave Wayne Rooney as the only senior striker available to Van Gaal. It seems highly unlikely he'll go into next season in that situation and Benteke is being suggested as the man to fill the void.
One thing's for certain, if Aston Villa do decide to sell, they're going to be able to command a very hefty fee.
