Christian Benteke: Liverpool transfer collapses as star says agent 'knows what he wants'

Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke has reiterated his agent's claim that he wants to play European football next season and entrusted the representative with dictating his future, as Liverpool look set to slip out of the race for the Belgium international.

Eris Kismet is understood to have been charged with finding the 24 year old a club who will play European football next season, with a host of sides interested in signing the Villa forward.

Benteke scored just 13 Premier League goals last season but netted 12 in his last 13 matches to help Tim Sherwood's side reach the FA Cup final and escape relegation to the Championship. Even so, his days at Villa Park appear to be numbered.

The biggest obstacle facing Benteke in his attempts to leave Villa is his £32.5m (€44.7m) release clause, a sizeable asking price given his injury-hit spell in English football. Reports suggest that Liverpool, who have been heavily linked with the player, are unwilling to match such a valuation.

Such news is unlikely to deter Benteke, who has all but confirmed his desire to leave for a club playing in either the Champions League or the Europa League by admitting his agent knows his demands regarding a new club.

"It's about him, he knows what I want so I let him do the job," he told Sky Sports. "I don't know [if I will play for Aston Villa again]. I don't think about them. I did my season with Aston Villa, I am focused on the national team and we'll see what happens.

"I think it is important for each player to play. If you want to be in the [Belgium] first eleven you have to play for your club.

"[The speculation] is good for the confidence and now I am with the national team I am just thinking about them."

On his injury which kept him out for the first two months of the season, he added: "I knew it wasn't going to be easy because I had some hard time with my injury but I know that my time will come and I work hard for it.

"I think I can get better in every situation. My left, my right foot, my header, everything. I am still young and I am motivated about working and be better than before."

Liverpool are expected to make signing a striker their priority in the summer transfer window after Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert managed just eight goals between them this season.

Divock Origi will arrive from a season-long spell at Lille but manager Brendan Rodgers could yet beef up his options ahead of next season with Daniel Sturridge's fitness a continual problem for Liverpool.