A knee injury sidelined Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke for the majority of the first half of the season and he only returned to action in January.
The Belgium international is yet to score a goal in 13 league appearances and his injury and poor form saw the Eagles sign his compatriot Michy Batshuayi on loan until the end of the season, who has scored two goals in nine appearances.
Het Laatste Nieuws claims the Premier League club are counting on the duo only until the end of the season as Basthuayi will return to his parent club Chelsea, while the former Aston Villa man will be pushed towards the exit door.
It’s claimed Palace could spend 80 percent of their total budget on wages and they are trying to cut down on salaries for next season.
Palace paid €1.2m to sign Batshuayi on loan and are paying him a weekly salary of €130,000 plus bonuses. The overall deal will cost them around €4m.
To make his loan deal permanent, Chelsea are demanding in excess of €45m, deemed too high by Palace, which is why the 25 year old will return to Stamford Bridge after this campaign.
Benteke, on the other hand, earns €145,000 per week in wages and the number will increase with performance related bonuses.
HLN reports that Crystal Palace were secretly hoping that a lucrative proposal from China would arrive for Benteke.
With just over a year left on the 28-year-old’s contract at Selhurst Park, if Palace want him out, they may have to grant a free transfer.
Having already spent around €60m on Benteke in transfer fee and wages, they’ll see little return, if they have to sell him in the summer.
If Palace manage to part ways with Benteke and not sign Batshuayi on a permanent deal, they will save €275,000-a-week in wages.
Doesn’t look a bad move when you take into account they have contributed just two goals in 22 league matches.
