Villa will not let Benteke force his way out of the club…
Aston Villa are willing to fine Christian Benteke, if the 22-year-old fails to return back to training on Thursday, reports The Mirror.
The striker is desperate to move to Tottenham, and handed in a transfer request last week. The London club will offer him European football, a regular starting spot, and a huge wage increase, but Villa have yet to accept a bid for the Belgian hotshot.
Ironically, Benteke went on strike last season to force a move away from Genk to the Premier League. Aston Villa could become the victims of the same strategy that helped them secure the 19 goal powerhouse last summer.
Aston Villa are resigned to the fact they will lose the striker, but are still following correct protocol, and expect him back at training while he is still under contract at the club. Manager Paul Lambert omitted Benteke from Villa’s pre-season tour to Germany, where they have drawn all three of their matches so far 1-1.
It will be very difficult for Villa to find a striker capable of replacing Benteke next season, even with the fee of between £20m and £25m they hope to receive. Lambert’s side narrowly avoided relegation last term, and will be hoping new signings like Jores Okore, Antonio Luna and Nicklas Helenius can compensate for Benteke’s imminent departure.
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