According to reports from The Guardian yesterday evening, sought-after striker Christian Benteke will demand to be sold this summer when he reports back for pre-season training at Aston Villa tomorrow.
The Belgium international ended the 2014/15 campaign in a blaze of incredible form, netting twelve times in his final 13 outings – including a Premier League hat-trick against Queens Park Rangers – to bring his Villains total across all competitions to 49 goals in 99 appearances.
That, in combination with the revelation that his Villa Park contract includes a £32.5million release clause, has generated plenty of interest in the 24 year-old.
Manchester United are believed to have launched an enquiry into Villa’s valuation of the 6 foot 3 target man last month, whilst Liverpool are expected to make a formal offer by the end of the week.
The Birmingham outfit insist Benteke won’t be sold this summer despite his recent snub of a new contract, but the former Genk youngster’s demands to leave could force their hand.
That’s according to The Guardian, who claim Villa hope to hold onto their talismanic forward for another twelve months, when his contract will enter its final year.
If any suitor wishes to acquire Benteke beforehand, they’ll have to activate his £32.5million buy-out fee.