“I’ve met the manager a few times before I signed and that’s why I wanted to come here”, Benteke told Crystal Palace’s official website.
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Benteke becomes Palace’s fourth signing of this transfer window after the previous captures of Steve Mandanda, James Tomkins and Andros Townsend. “I feel really happy that the deal has been done and now I can look forward because it’s been going on for a long time, but now I think everything is going to be OK.” .
Liverpool paid Aston Villa £32.5m for Benteke, who has scored 51 Premier League goals in four years, a year ago and had been holding out for a similar fee despite the player falling out of favour under Jurgen Klopp.
However, the star’s temporary signing may still have buoyed the club, as they went on to score two goals against Liverpool this afternoon.
“It’s important when you lose iconic players to try to replace them with iconic players”.
Awash with money from the sales of Yannick Bolasie, Dwight Gayle and Mile Jedinak, Alan Pardew splashed the cash on the 25-year-old Belgian, paying £27m up front, with a possible £5m in add-ons.
Benteke appeared to have fired a parting shot at Klopp as his bio on his Twitter account read: “Burnleyl FC and Belgium national team” referring to the club that Liverpool play later on Saturday”. I thought he’d be a fantastic fit for that club. His style of play, the way he feeds off crosses.
“We had a bit more verve in our play, a bit more industry”.
The Merseyside giants forked out the substantial fee last summer to take Benteke from Villa Park to Anfield.
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Former Leicester and Derby midfielder Savage has suggested that Benteke will prove to be a good signing for Alan Pardew’s side.
