Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke has emerged as January transfer target for Belgian outfit Club Brugge.

The Europa League contenders who face Manchester United in the Round of 32, have, according to Het Laatste Nieuws, identified the 29-year-old forward as the player to take them to the next level.

Sitting top of the Jupiler Pro League, and with European football on offer, they feel they can lure the former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker back to Belgium.

Having played for Belgian outfits Mechelen, Standard Liege, Kortrijk and Genk, he’ll also know the league.

Benteke, who signed a contract extension in October to keep him at Selhurst Park until the end of next season, has found life tough in South London with just 21 goals in 105 appearances for Roy Hodgson’s side.

Injury and form has kept him out of the first XI and Monday’s start against Brighton was his first since August.

Eager for selection in Roberto Martinez’s squad for next summer’s Euro’s, the Belgian international could feel that first team football at Brugge would be beneficial.

It’s thought Palace would be open to selling the forward if they could re-coup a third of the £27million they handed to Liverpool in 2016.

Club Brugge, who have money to spend after the sales of Wesley and Marvelous Nakamba to Aston Villa for a combined fee of over £30million, signed Simon Mignolet from Liverpool in the summer and they feel his arrival could help lure the Crystal Palace striker.

READ:Wilfried Zaha won't go to Chelsea says Crystal Palace hero