Transfer gossip: Villa powerless to stop Benteke joining Liverpool

Don't teke my Ben away

Aston Villa manager and bantmaster-general Tim Sherwood has admitted that he is powerless to stop Christian Benteke leaving the club. The Times are just one of the morning newspapers that report Sherwood's resignation about keeping ahold of his prized Belgian asset. The reason for such fatalism is Benteke's £32m buyout clause. If Liverpool bid that amount and the player wants to leave, it's ON. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVGxa8-SM3I

Liverpool's Nat bid de-Clyned

Liverpool will certainly be active in the summer window as they look to rebuild after a desperately underwhelming season. The Express claim that the Anfield club have wasted no time in bidding a shy-looking £9m for England international Nathaniel Clyne. Southampton have turned down the offer, but that won't stop the Scousers returning with an increased wod of cash imminently. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LETKHZTYBRg

United hoping to woo Bacca

Here's a bit of a leftfield one. According to the Metro, Manchester United are favourites to sign Carlos Bacca from Sevilla. The newspaper cite Spanish sources as they report that United have leapfrogged AC Milan and Roma in the race for the Europa League hero. Apparently it would take a (very specific) bid of £21.3m to secure Bacca's services as a replacement for the departed Radamel Falcao. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cra1jppZ_SE

Best of the rest

*Liverpool are set to end their interest in Fiorentina's goalkeeper Norberto Neto, as if you knew they had any. (Liverpool Echo) *Arsenal are close to securing a £24.7m deal for Porto striker Jackson Martinez. (Daily Express) *Manchester City are to offer James Milner £165,000-a-week contract to a final attempt to keep him at the club. (Manchester Evening News) *Jurgen Klopp may scrap plans for a sabbatical in order to take over as Liverpool manager. No one tell Brendan. (Sun)