Christian Benteke insists he won’t be forced to stay at Villa Park.
Arsenal and Tottenham target Christian Benteke has dropped the biggest hint yet that he will leave Aston Villa this summer.
The Belgium international, 23, has enjoyed a stunning début season in the Premier League, netting 19 goals and almost single-handedly saving Paul Lambert’s side from the drop.
Beteke has been linked with a host of European clubs, with north London duo Arsenal and Spurs, said to be leading the chase for his signature.
Lambert has stressed that the powerful Belgian is not for sale this summer and the Scot is hopeful the former Genk forward, who cost Villa £7m last summer, will agree a new deal to remain in the Midlands.
But Benteke, who has remained coy on his future up until now, has hinted that he will not be forced to stay at Villa Park should one of the big boys come calling.
“If Aston Villa says I must stay, I won’t necessarily accept that,” Benteke told Belgian website nieuwsblad.be.
“I do not in any way want to feel I didn’t get the most out of my career.
“Of course playing the World Cup in Rio is in my head. But I have no fear of falling out of the [Belgium national] team. With my family, I will decide where my future lies.”
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