Liverpool to meet Christian Benteke's £32.5m buyout clause this week?

Liverpool appear to be edging closer to signing Christian Benteke from Aston Villa as they have reportedly planned to trigger the striker's £32.5m buyout clause this week.

Manager Brendan Rodgers is believed to be keen to add a striker to his squad this summer after Luis Suarez's replacements Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert failed to deliver last season.

Benteke has been linked with a switch to Anfield in the last couple of months, and according to The Express, the Merseyside outfit will officially make their move this week.

Recent reports have stated that the Reds were put off by the expensive buyout fee, but now it appears that a decision has been made regarding Benteke, who is believed to have rejected a move to Tottenham Hotspur in favour of a switch to Anfield.

The 24-year-old has scored 49 goals in 101 appearances for Villa.