Benteke Backward Step!

Now that Palace have turned Jean-Philippe Mateta's loan into a permanent deal ahead of schedule, they are willing to listen to 'reasonable' offers for Christian Benteke's services, either on loan or as they would prefer permanently. West Ham have been mentioned as one of the clubs allegedly interested in the 31 year old striker and given the club's urgent need for a back up striker for Michail Antonio might possibly go for a loan deal during the dying embers of this transfer window.

Logistically it is an easy deal to complete, far easier than Hammers doomed pursuit of Darwin Nunez who is across the other side of the World and whose club have already rejected a substantial bid from West Ham. If David Moyes doesn't go for the newly available Divock Origi, then Benteke would be better than bugger all wouldn't he? Although many fans would see his acquisition as a backward step.- ED