Sam Allardyce identified Christian Benteke as an ideal solution to West Bromwich Albion’s scoring woes (Sky Sports), but his efforts to land the 30-year-old are likely to fall short.

Benteke’s future at Crystal Palace is uncertain as he has been short of form at Selhurst Park, could be replaced by new arrival Jean-Philippe Mateta and will be out of contract in the coming months. However, The Athletic claimed that the Belgian doesn’t want to leave the Eagles this month and is also unwilling to take a pay cut to push through a move to Albion.

Benteke joined Palace from Liverpool in 2016 and has gone on to make 129 appearances in all competitions, scoring 26 goals and supplying 10 assists. He scored 17 goals for the Eagles in his debut season but has only managed nine across the four subsequent campaigns. [Transfermarkt]

West Brom are among the lowest-scoring teams in the Premier League, so they may need more up front than a misfiring striker such as Benteke. The Belgian has featured in four of Palace’s last five league games, so he still has a future under Roy Hodgson, at least until the summer.

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It makes little sense for Benteke to leave Palace before his deal expires if he is getting regular game-time and takes home £120,000 per week.

Albion are in a fierce relegation battle as things stand, so why would the player make the switch now rather than just see out his contract and evaluate his options after the season has concluded?

Benteke’s high wages and his willingness to remain at Selhurst Park appear to have nixed any hopes of West Brom signing him.