Christian Benteke Wants to Remain a Crystal Palace Player Despite Contract Expiring This Summer

Christian Benteke has revealed he wants to remain a Crystal Palace player for the foreseeable future, despite his contract expiring this summer.

Benteke has had another torrid season at Palace, only managing to hit the back of the net once in the league, but the former Liverpool man has said he doesn't want to leave the south London side yet.

A potential move back to Belgium was on the cards with Club Brugge chasing the striker back in January, and while it's reported Benteke was fairly interested in the deal, it seems he'd now rather remain in the Premier League with Roy Hodgson's Palace.

Although speculation has been rife about Benteke's future in recent months, Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws claims the forward wants to remain at Crystal Palace and that Palace are also keen on retaining Benteke's services.

Having signed from Liverpool back in 2016, Benteke enjoyed a promising start to life at Selhurst Park, but his form has declined dramatically in the years since and the Belgian has only managed to score five league goals in his last three seasons combined.

Despite all this, Palace want Benteke to return next season and hope to have the former Aston Villa man sign a new contract this summer. A large part of this is due to Benteke's relationship with Palace boss Roy Hodgson, with the 29-year old said to be 'in the pardon' of Hodgson.

The pair have worked together ever since Hodgson's arrival at Palace in 2017 and it seems both parties are keen to continue their relationship.

It remains to be seen whether Benteke will eventually sign a new contract at Palace, but a potential move away wouldn't be the worst idea possible as the striker looks to rediscover the form that convinced Palace to pay Liverpool £27m for his services.