Viola reportedly sent scouts to watch Belgian international last season.
Fiorentina have reportedly joined the race to sign Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke this summer, according to ESPNFC.com.
With interest intensifying over star Stevan Jovetic, the Viola are preparing to swoop for the Belgian international as a replacement for the Montenegrin.
The 22-year-old enjoyed an impressive first season in England, but as a result has caught the eye of several top clubs around Europe.
Benteke’s agent, Eris Kismet, has spoken to ESPN FC, and has confirmed that the Serie A outfit sent scouts to watch his client last season and are very interested in acquiring him this summer.
“There were representatives of Fiorentina during the games at the end of the season,” he said.
“They are one of many clubs who have an interest, but we are waiting to hold more talks with Aston Villa when Christian finishes playing with the national team and comes back from a holiday.”
It is believed that Atletico Madrid, Arsenal and Tottenham are all interested in signing the 22-year-old, but both Villa and boss Paul Lambert have been keen to stress that they are not interested in selling their new star striker.
Benteke has three years left on his current deal, and as a result the club are in a strong position to demand a big asking price should they decide to cash in and seek a replacement.
However, Lambert has previously spoken about how a move at this stage of his development could damage Benteke’s progress and his World Cup prospects.
“Christian is a top lad, but people forget that while he has the frame of a man, he’s still a young man.
“He has been fantastic, as have a lot of the young lads, but a lot of these lads are still maturing. Any young player that moves, the pressure on them is high.
“If you take that gamble to move to one of these huge clubs, then you might not play as many games. That’s the gamble. Footballers want to play the game, that’s the big thing for them. If they are hungry enough to play, then that’s half the battle.”
Although he has had a remarkable start to life in England, Benteke will want to prove himself again next season and continue to progress.
Fiorentina’s cause may be hindered by the lack of Champions League football that they can offer, but under Vincenzo Montella, they are building one of the most exciting projects in Europe.
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