Tim Sherwood expects Christian Benteke to stay at Aston Villa

Liverpool had been heavily linked with Benteke and are reportedly readying their own bid after sealing Raheem Sterling’s £49m exit to Manchester City.

It has been suggested that United boss Louis van Gaal could try to sign the Polish striker as a replacement for Robin van Persie, who finally sealed his moved to Turkish club Fenerbahce on Tuesday.

Benteke’s £32.5 million release clause has seen Villa refuse to accept anything below that fee for a player who signed a new five-year contract at the club just last summer.

Manchester United may sign Christian Benteke this week, while Tottenham are set to offload two more unwanted players, according to the papers.

More names continue to ring around Anfield thanks to their injection of cash with the Daily Star saying Brendan Rodgers’s side are interested in Barcelona forward Perdo, who is also a target for Chelsea and Arsenal.

Benteke, 24, scored 13 Premier League goals for Villa to help them stave off relegation last season.

The ESPN FC panel discuss Liverpool’s current striker situation with reports that Christian Benteke is leaning towards Manchester United.

Sherwood said: “I think it’s dead now to be honest”.

“The competition is strong in midfield so, yes, it’s down to us as individuals to make that place ours but I’m up for the challenge and I’m sure the other boys are as well”. If someone matches that buyout clause, there’s nothing we can do about it. But until that happens he’s an Aston Villa player and we’re all very pleased about that. We don’t want the £32m.

Manchester City are considering a move for Everton midfielder James McCarthy as they weigh up their options following Fabian Delph’s decision to back out of a switch to the Etihad.