Liverpool hoping to beat Manchester United in signing Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke

Liverpool and Manchester United are set for a summer battle to sign Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, according to the Telegraph.

The 24-year-old has been in impressive form since joining the Premier League club in 2012. Injuries had seen him struggle in the early part of the season. However, he bounced back in this calendar year finishing the season with 13 goals and two assists.

Benteke's form has seen him attract interest from Liverpool and United as both clubs look to bolster their strike force for the next season. Tim Sherwood's side have one more game left as they take on Arsenal in the FA Cup final on 30 May.

The Reds are expected to make a £30m ($46.1m) bid after the end of this month to land the Belgium international. Brendan Rodgers is looking to improve the Merseyside club's goal-scoring stats and has made the Villa star one of the priority signings in the summer transfer window.

Liverpool are willing to part ways with Rickie Lambert and include him in the deal to sign Benteke. Villa were interested in the former Southampton striker in January and a swap deal could convince them to part ways with their player.

Any move from the Anfield club will see them face competition from the 20-time English champions. Louis van Gaal's side are monitoring Benteke's situation and look to beat Liverpool for his signature.

Rodgers's side failed to qualify for next season's Champions League, while United will play the qualifiers after finishing fourth. A chance to play in Europe's elite club competition could help the Red Devils convince Benteke to reject a chance to join Liverpool and make a switch to Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager has admitted the striker has not expressed his desire to leave Villa Park, despite strong interest from Liverpool and United.

"Christian is only a young man but he's very mature in the way he behaves. I think he's handled the situation well," Sherwood said.

"I have no reason to believe he wants to seek employment elsewhere. He seems to be very happy here. He knows there are big games coming up and I think he wants to be at this football club."