Paul Lambert expecting Christian Benteke exit

Former Villa boss Paul Lambert believes Christian Benteke will leave the club this summer as rumours emerge the forward wants European football.

The 24-year-old striker is set for showdown talks with Tim Sherwood this week as the manager bids to hold on to his star asset.

Benteke currently has two years left on the deal he signed in 2013, but is wanted by Liverpool and a host of other clubs who are reportedly ready to match his £32.5m buy-out clause.

The player's agent, Eris Kismet, has allegedly claimed his client wants Europa League or Champions League football next season.

And Lambert expects the player, who he signed for around £7m from Genk, to soon be out the Villa exit door.

"It looks like if he is going to go, it will be this year," Lambert said.

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"But I had it every year I was there that he probably wanted to go, because he was playing that well, you can't stop teams coming in with that level of money.

"It depends how Aston Villa want to view it now. If Christian goes maybe they will get money to buy someone. But as a goalscorer and a player, he's top class.

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"In his first year at Villa he was only behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in terms of goalscoring ratio, which was an incredible achievement.

"He's certainly good enough. He's only 24, he's got years ahead of him. Okay he didn't have a good game on Saturday but he is a top, top player."

Another forward potentially heading out of Villa Park is Andi Weimann who is believed to assessing his options after being left out of the FA Cup final squad.

Meanwhile, striker Callum Wilson has been linked with a move to Villa.

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The 23-year-old, who is expected to command a £7m fee, scored 20 goals last season as he helped fire Bournemouth into the top flight.

It is also understood Everton have opened talks with Tom Cleverley over a move to Goodison Park. The 25-year-old free agent now looks set to choose between the Toffees and Villa.