Liverpool agree terms for Christian Benteke

Liverpool have reached an agreement with Aston Villa over the payment terms for the £32.5million (€30.5m) transfer of Christian Benteke.

A bid to trigger the Belgium international’s release clause was submitted on Friday and Reds chief executive Ian Ayre, who is with the squad in Australia on their pre-season tour, has been conducting negotiations over the weekend as to just how and when that money will be paid.

It is understood a satisfactory conclusion has been reached in those discussions, with Liverpool believed to be paying half the fee up front.