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Liverpool are on the brink of completing a £32.5million deal for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke.

The Reds have decided to trigger the release clause in the Belgium international's contract and he's set to become the second most expensive signing in the club's history.

Liverpool have been chasing Benteke all summer but had previously been unwilling to pay the asking price.

With Villa desperate to keep hold of Benteke and unwilling to negotiate on the price, a stand-off had developed in recent weeks but the impasse has now been broken by the Reds.

READ: Why do Reds fans have doubts over Benteke?

Following the £49million sale of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City, Liverpool have decided to quickly re-invest a large chunk of that windfall in the 24-year-old 6ft 3ins frontman.

Brendan Rodgers is a big admirer of Benteke and had placed him at the top of his summer wish-list as he looked to bolster the club's firepower.

Benteke, who has two years remaining on his Villa contract, has his heart set on a move to Anfield and once the £32.5million offer is received by the Midlanders he will be free to negotiate personal terms and undergo a medical.

IN PICTURES: Christian Benteke

That outlay will take Liverpool's summer spending to around the £80million mark following deals for James Milner, Danny Ings, Nathaniel Clyne, Joe Gomez, Adam Bogdan and Roberto Firmino.

Villa will have to pass on around £4million of the fee to Benteke's former club Genk.

Benteke scored 49 goals in 101 appearances for Villa over the past three seasons.

He was sidelined for six months after rupturing his Achilles in April 2014 and initially struggled on his return to action last season. But following the appointment of boss Tim Sherwood he hit top form - scoring a dozen goals in his last 12 matches to save Villa from relegation.

Watch: LFC writer James Pearce confirms Benteke is on the brink of move

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Kop legend Robbie Fowler recently told the ECHO that he believed Benteke would be the perfect addition to Rodgers' squad.

“It’s important we get a proven goalscorer and of the names being bandied about I’d go for Benteke. I think he’s excellent,” Fowler said.

“In terms of all-round play - strength, speed, physicality, finishing - I think Benteke could be the main man for Liverpool.

“I’ve watched him a lot and he’s not just a targetman. He can hold the ball well and bring others into play but he’s also mobile and keeps defenders on their toes.

“I think he’s ideal for the way Brendan wants to play. It’s probably what we lacked at times last season. We had forwards who wanted to drop deep to get involved with the play and we always had that gap up front.

“With a Benteke type, you have someone who will stay up there and stretch defenders. He scores goals, he’s a threat and a real handful for defenders. I think he’s probably the perfect player for us.”