Crystal Palace ready to shell out £45m on Christian Benteke and James Tomkins
Crystal Palace are closing in on the double signing of Liverpool striker Christian Benteke – a player manager Alan Pardew last season accused of diving – and West Ham defender James Tomkins for combined fees of almost £45m.
Palace are nearing agreement with the Reds over a fee for Benteke, after having an initial bid of £25m turned down last week.
They are believed to have returned with an improved offer of £27m plus £4.5m in performance-related clauses, with Liverpool keen to recoup the £32.5m they paid Aston Villa last summer.
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Benteke is thought keen to revive his career at Palace, having scored just 10 goals in 42 games for Liverpool and falling behind Daniel Sturridge and fellow Belgium forward Divock Origi in the pecking order at Anfield.
The 25-year-old was far more prolific at Villa, where he scored 49 goals in 101 games.
Palace manager Pardew accused Benteke of diving when the teams met in London in March and the player won and scored a decisive late penalty.
Tomkins, meanwhile, could join him at Selhurst Park in a £12m transfer from the Hammers.
The 27-year-old, who can play at centre-back or full-back, made just four starts after the turn of the year.
Palace have already signed England winger Andros Townsend from relegated Newcastle for £13m and France goalkeeper Steve Mandanda from Marseille for £1.5m.
Their move for Benteke came after an attempt to sign another Belgium forward Michy Batshuayi ended with the striker opting for Chelsea.