Knowing the mercenary nature of footballers these days, I was half expecting this : Skysports - Aston Villa confirm Christian Benteke has handed in a transfer request In any event, AVFC holds all the cards here. Benteke is on a three year contract and the Club does not have to sell the player. If Benteke plays the strop, like he did with Genk (going on strike), that will diminish his profile. Benteke wants to play in the 2014 World Cup for Belgium, which will not happen if he spends 2013-2014 sitting on the bench or confined to the reserves ! I reckon it is the Agent pushing this, jeopardising Benteke's career prospects for his 'cut'. If he is sold, AVFC should make it a condition of any Benteke transfer out that the buying Club takes Stephen Ireland as well !
I hope you guys get decent money for Benteke. If we got £15m for Carroll, I'm sure you can ask for similar for Benteke
Larry, you are wise enough to know that it is not a good thing to keep a player, especially a young player, when they don't want to be there. Better to get the transfer sorted to give you time to find a replacement. 20M tops.
£30m?? We had Arsenal bid £30m for Suarez!!! Villa don't have the pull to demand £30m for him. I agree with CPofL on this - £20m (and maybe "add-ons" if you're lucky)
Depends what the buyout clause is set at. Nevertheless, if a player wants out, generally a player gets out. At least you'll still have Bent. Hahaha.
20 odd million would represent great business for Villa. 13 million profit in a year and in that year he helped you stay up. You should then keep Bent and re-invest in other areas. I know we've been linked but really can't see the point. I don't think he's better than what we have (or potentially have in Lukaku). He may be a one season wonder for all we know. Think he'll end up at Spurs.
Benteke is on leave from the Club until July 18th, when he returns for pre-season training. Aston Villa has all the 'clout' on this matter and as ever, no player is greater than the Club. All these press stories are just speculation, none of these 'reporters' know any more about Benteke than what any of us on here know. I will wait for official announcements from Aston Villa for the facts regarding Benteke.
Another striker taken away from Chelsea. Sensible decision for the lad, no need to move off the back of one season. Knuckle down and show you can repeat it next season.
Most overrated striker ever, bullet dodged. Also proves his 'transfer' request was a ploy for a pay rise.
Fair play to him, even if he has got an extra £30K/week out of it. I'm sure the clubs he could have ended up with would have offered him more.
Aston Villa Club Statement : Aston Villa are delighted to confirm that Christian Benteke has withdrawn his transfer request and agreed a contract extension through to 2017 with the Club. Just for the record.
