According to reports from The Daily Mail yesterday evening, manager Tim Sherwood has admitted Aston Villa could sell star striker Christian Benteke this summer if he expresses a desire to leave.
The Belgium international has been in excellent form since Sherwood’s appointment in February, bagging eight goals in his last six matches to bring his overall return in the Premier League to 39 goals in 84 appearances – reaching double figures in each of his three campaigns thus far.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham were all strongly linked to the 6 foot 3 striker last summer, as reported by The Express in May 2014; the combination of Benteke’s form and Sherwood’s latest admission could convince the Premier League trio to revive their interest.
“We don’t want to sell our best players,’ said the former Spurs boss. “I also want players who want to play at the football club.
“He’s made no indication to me that he wants to play elsewhere. If he does then we will assess the situation but we want to keep him at the club.
“You can’t force any player, I’ve been one myself. You might as well take the money because you end up without the money or the player if you don’t take it.”
Aston Villa value their man at around the £25million mark, according to The Mail, and the coming transfer window would be a pragmatic time to sell, with the former Genk star set to enter the final two years of his Villa Park contract.
But Sherwood also suggested an extension could be in the offing, telling reporters; “It’s certainly something that will have to be addressed. You don’t really want players going into the last 18 months of their contract, he’s someone for the long-term future and you need to protect your interests.”
Lets hope Benteke stays and perhaps Vlaar as well. If these two go it sends out the wrong signals to Delph and one or two others. If we can get new owners maybe these continuing relegation scraps year on year will disappear. Surely if Sherwood keeps us up and can add three or four players of his own choosing without funding that by selling his best players the good times could well be back. Stick around Christian, better times on the way at a club where your appreciated