Transfers: Liverpool chase Real Madrid winger while United make move for Benteke

With clubs set to jet off on their pre-season tours this week, the transfer window has sparked into life.

For a week or two it was just Liverpool making signings, but now Manchester United are in the game, securing two new players yesterday, and are looking to beat their fierce rivals to their prime target. According to The Sun, Louis van Gaal wants to sign Christian Benteke, believing the Aston Villa striker is a cheaper option than Thomas Muller and Gonzalo Higuain. United are in the market for a new striker, with Robin van Persie set to depart this week and Javier Hernandez injured, and not in Van Gaal's plans. While James Wilson could be sent on loan to gain first-team experience. That leaves United with just one striker in the form of Wayne Rooney. Liverpool have been linked with Benteke for a number of weeks, but reportedly have a different valuation of the player than his current employers. Villa want £32.5 million for the 24 year old, while Liverpool are hoping for a deal closer to £25 million. Could United's reported interest make Liverpool more anxious to meet Villa's valuation? Liverpool's transfer business isn't finished even if they sign Benteke, according to The Sunday People, the club want to sign Real Madrid winger Denis Cheryshev. The 24 year old Russian international joined the club in 2002, but has only made one first team appearance, and has spent the last two season on loan at Sevilla and Villarreal. So, naturally, Madrid want £22 million. We should probably take this rumour with a boat load of salt, particularly considering the promise displayed so far by Jordan Ibe. [caption id="attachment_31959" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Lionel Messi and Denis Cheryshev. Messi's on the left.[/caption] Meanwhile, The Mirror are reporting that Ireland international James McCarthy is set to be the subject of a £20 million bid from Tottenham Hotspur. The Everton midfielder is reportedly frustrated that the club have yet to offer him a new contract, which was promised to him after displaying good form in the latter half of last season. While Everton manager is hoping to sign Spurs' Aaron Lennon on a permanent deal, and any move for McCarthy could involve the winger returning to Goodison Park, where he spent the second half of last season on-loan. McCarthy cost Everton £13 million, and has worked under Martinez for six years, spending four years together at Wigan before joining the Toffees in the same summer two years ago. Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling's transfer sega could be entering it's final stages. John Cross, the Mirror's chief football writer, has revealed today that Manchester City are about to offer Liverpool £45 million for the player. Liverpool reportedly want £50 million, but this bid, if it comes to fruition, shows City are edging closer to meeting the club's valuation. It appears it's only a matter of time before Sterling will be exiting Anfield, which will miraculously be around the time he'll stop calling in sick to work. https://twitter.com/johncrossmirror/status/620162575653838853