Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke interested in talking to clubs playing in Europe, says agent.
The agent of Arsenal and Tottenham target Christian Benteke has again hinted that the striker is interested in leaving Aston Villa this summer.
On Thursday, Benteke reportedly said he would not be forced to remain at Villa Park, prompting Villains boss Paul Lambert to urge the 22-year-old to take a ‘reality check’.
Benteke’s agent, Eris Kismet, has angrily dismissed the player’s quotes as false but done little to dampen speculation linking Benteke with a move away from the Midlands club.
“Christian and I are surprised and disgusted by a story in the Sun newspaper claiming Benteke can do what he wants,” Kismet told London24.
“He has been misquoted.
“The true line is that Christian does not want to make a war with Aston Villa.
“He has called me today from New York and he is disgusted, I have told him not to speak to any media from now on.
“If there is interest, which is normal after the season he has had, no way will problems be made by Christian and myself. That is what he said in the interview!
“He’s more than happy to stay if he has to stay. But we all know he had a good season and it’s normal that maybe other teams are more interested in him, and he might be interested to play European football which is his right.”
Despite claiming Benteke is happy to stay at Villa, Kismet stressed that the forward would be interesting in listening to any offers from club’s playing in Europe next season.
“If there is a team, a bigger team playing European football next season, that shows interest to Villa concerning Christian, I would be lying if I said Christian would ignore that,” Kismet continued.
“But at the same time Villa have the right to say whatever is going to happen with Christian next year, and Christian will have his word also because it’s his career.
“It’s no use with all respect to go to Southampton or Norwich. If he can improve himself in a footballistic way, okay, why not? But it’s up to Aston Villa and that supposed team to get an agreement.
“At this moment nothing is happening. Let’s wait a week or two and then we will see what can happen.”
Benteke scored 19 Premier League goals for Villa after arriving for Juliper League outfit Genk for £7m last summer.
Both Arsenal and Tottenham are in need of attacking reinforcements this summer but it is understood Villa value Benteke at around £20m and are unwilling to sell.
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