West Ham United ready to spend up to £40m on Liverpool’s summer signing

West Ham United are reportedly willing to splash out £40m this summer in a bid to sign Belgium international Christian Benteke, according to Sky Sports.

The Premier League side, who drew 2-2 with defending champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, are keen on recruiting the Liverpool striker as a marquee addition once the current 2015-16 campaign has concluded as the Hammers move into their Olympic Stadium later this year.

The 25-year-old, who has 24 international caps for his country, has scored eight goals and provided five assists in 35 appearances in all competitions for the Reds so far this season.

Benteke, who cost the Anfield outfit a reported £32.5m last summer from fellow English top-flight side Aston Villa, has failed to live up to expectations at Liverpool and is likely to face the axe from current boss Jurgen Klopp this summer.

West Ham have identified the Liverpool hitman as one of three priority targets this summer, alongside Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette and Marseille’s Michy Batshuayi as the Hammers go in search of finishing in the Premier League’s top four come May.