Express & Star

Big boys line up with bids for Aston Villa's Christian Benteke

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Christian Benteke was today completely focused on Aston Villa's bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League as rumours swirled about his future at the club.

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The 22-year-old striker was strongly linked with a move to Tottenham over the weekend, with Arsenal, Chelsea and a number of European clubs having also monitored his performances this season since his £7m switch from Genk.

It is understood by the Express & Star that Benteke will leave Villa if they are relegated at the end of the campaign, and there is a strong possibility he may go irrespective of whether they survive.

Despite the obvious distraction over his future Kismet Eris, Benteke's agent, insisted the Belgium international remained fully committed to Villa's bid to beat the drop over the next few months.

"Right now his focus is on Villa – and helping them stay in the Premier League. He wants to repay Paul Lambert for the faith that has been shown in him," said Eris.

"He has scored a lot of goals this season and wants to give 100 per cent between now and the end of the season. It is normal that, if you go to a club and do well, then other clubs will show an interest. Christian has shown that he can play in England. So why not take the step up to the next level if the opportunity is there?

"At the end of the season interested clubs will talk to Villa – but it has to be right for Villa, the buying club and Christian. If all three parties are agreeable, then something could happen.

"But Villa will now ask a big price for Christian, much more than they paid for him, because Paul Lambert was the one who gave him his chance."

"There will be clubs asking about Christian next summer because he's proved he can do it in England. None of the big clubs wanted to take a chance on Christian when he was still unknown.

"I have been with Christian for 10 years now. I know what his ambitions are – he wants to do well in England."