Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke is likely to leave at the end of the season, according to reports from Belgium.

The Lowdown: Benteke under Vieira

The 31-year-old, labelled as 'fantastic' by Jordan Ayew, signed a new two-year deal at Selhurst Park over the summer prior to Patrick Vieira taking over as manager.

Benteke had been a regular under Vieira, missing just one of Palace’s first 22 Premier League games up until the end of January. However, the striker hasn’t featured in the club’s last five league games, sitting on the bench for all of February.

The Latest: Exit claims

Sports Witness relayed a story from Belgian outlet DH on Tuesday regarding Benteke’s future. They claimed that ‘we are likely seeing the final days’ of the striker at Palace, with an exit in the summer now inevitable.

The report adds that the summer window will be the last chance the Eagles have to land a respectable fee for Benteke, who is valued at €7m (£5.8m).

The Verdict: Vieira already eyeing replacement?

Sports Witness name-checked Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah as a possible arrival in the summer on a free transfer, so it seems as if Vieira may already have a replacement in mind for Benteke.

The Belgian remains the club’s most expensive signing of all time and has made 171 appearances after arriving in 2016, but now could be the right time to move him on.

Vieira has green-lighted a permanent deal for Jean-Philippe Mateta this year and also brought in Odsonne Edouard in his first window in charge.

On that basis, should Nketiah arrive, it may make sense for all involved to move Benteke on ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, especially following his lack of game time in recent weeks.

In other news: Huge Palace transfer news emerges as Parish lines up £15m bid for 'special' player.