It is looking like the Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke is going to play at the Old Trafford. This development is sure to dismay Villa boss Tim Sherwood.

Sherwood was hopeful Benteke may be the next Fabian Delph who moved to Manchester City after a mega-deal, reported the Sun.

On the social media site Twitter, the 24-year-old striker favorited a tweet on Wednesday containing information about his rumored move to Manchester United, according to the London Evening Standard.

The Belgian striker was quick to unfavorite the tweet but many fans interpreted the action as an indicator that the transfer is almost a done deal.

Old Trafford ready to pay and sign

Man Utd manager Louis van Gaal is willing and ready to activate the buy-out clause on the frontman's Aston Villa contract. The value of the buy-out is at £32.5 million ($50.78 million). Van Gaal sees Benteke as Wayne Rooney's backup option, ESPN noted.

According to the Telegraph, if Manchester is successful in acquiring Benteke, van Gaal and the Red Devils' transfer window transactions will now amount to a grand total of £109.4 million ($170.28 million). United have spent £25 million ($39.05 million) on winger Memphis Depay, £39 million ($60.93 million) total for midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, and £12.9 million ($20.15 million) for full-back Matteo Darmian.

FC Liverpool backs down

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was regularly reported to have been aggressively pursuing Benteke in the last several weeks but the Fenway Sports Group are hesitant to shell out the needed money to acquire the Belgian.

In a report, The Daily Mail said Benteke favors Liverpool but the negotiation details are a dealbreaker. Benteke may have to force the issue if he wishes to leave the Villa and get to Anfield.

Liverpool just sold Raheem Sterling for £49 million ($76 million) to Manchester City, but they might use the proceeds to fund the acquisition of French hotshot Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon, Bleacher Report said. The 24-year-old French striker made 27 goals last season.