WEST BROM boss Sam Allardyce has got the green light from Crystal Palace to close a deal for Christian Benteke.
Allardyce is keen on the big Belgian striker despite landing Mbaye Diagne from Galatasaray on loan and is looking into a short-term move with Palace.
Benteke, 30, is on around £120,000 a week at Selhurst Park, so even paying HALF his wages is expensive for the Baggies.
Benteke has been told his chances of game-time are limited with the Eagles and any new contract would see him earn much less from next season.
So Albion looks a better prospect for Benteke as it puts him in the shop window for the summer.
Agents are also touting him round Italy and Turkey.
Palace would save over £1million in wages which helps them as they prepare for huge changes at the end of the season.
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BURNLEY’S back-up hitman Matej Vydra is wanted by promotion hopefuls Watford and Bournemouth.
The Czech Republic striker is struggling for a game under Sean Dyche but the Championship Hornets and Cherries have made approaches.
Vydra, 28, fired Watford to promotion in 2015 and they are keen to bring him back on loan with a view to a full-time deal if they go up.
Bournemouth want a similar transfer as they look for more goals to make a quick return to the top level.
In their case they would have to move Josh King first.
Burnley would sell Vydra for the right price and have turned down various swap suggestions from both parties as they plan to sign their own targets.
However, Vydra as a buy and on good wages is a big gamble for Watford and Bournemouth who will have major cutbacks if they stay down.
The Hornets plan to bounce back at the first attempt, while Bournemouth will lose some big earners in the summer when deals expire.
So bringing in another one would wreck their budget if they fail.
