West Bromwich Albion manager Pepe Mel has revealed that he tried to sign Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke last summer.
Mel, who was then in charge of Real Betis, was looking to take the Belgium international to La Liga following his fruitful maiden Premier League campaign, but the Spanish club were reportedly unable to afford him.
Mel told the Birmingham Mail: "I actually asked Betis to buy Benteke last June, but he was very expensive.
"He is a well-known player in Spain, like [Victor] Anichebe, a player who is respected and players who are of high value.
"In Spain we played with a system using wingers. We needed someone in the middle to put the ball in the net and this was the role we had in mind for Benteke."
West Brom take on Aston Villa tomorrow evening in the Premier League.
