Liverpool trigger Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke's release clause

Liverpool have made a £32.5 million bid to trigger the release clause in Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke's contract, sources have told ESPN FC.
Liverpool were planning to make their move once Raheem Sterling's sale to Manchester City had been completed, and the Reds formally submitted an offer on Friday morning.
Press Association Sport reports that chief executive Ian Ayre, in Australia with the Reds' first-team squad for the second leg of the club's preseason tour, has formally submitted their offer.
He will now continue discussions with Villa over the finer details of the deal but Liverpool are hopeful of a swift conclusion to enable the Belgium international to join up with Brendan Rodgers' side as soon as possible.
Liverpool had hoped to negotiate a lower fee but, after Villa said they would not negotiate for the player, they made their move amid speculation in The Sun that Manchester United were also planning a move for the striker.
ESPN FC was told that Benteke is keen on a move to Anfield, and he is now set to hold talks and undergo a medical ahead of his switch to Anfield.

Liverpool had been waiting for Sterling's move to go through before making an offer for the 24-year-old, having already paid out over £40 million on new signings Roberto Firmino and Nathaniel Clyne as well as bringing in free agents James Milner and Adam Bogdan, while the club will go to a tribunal to decide a compensation fee with Burnley for Danny Ings.

Rodgers considered whether the club should sign Benteke last summer, but decided against a move, as the striker was recovering from an Achilles injury that forced him to miss the World Cup.

TRANSFERS 02:11