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Post by Avinalaff on Jul 8, 2013 22:32:57 GMT
Christian Benteke: Aston Villa striker hands in transfer request
Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke has handed in a transfer request and has not travelled on the club's pre-season tour to Germany.
Villa have told the 22-year-old, who had already been given extra time off until 18 July, they would act upon any suitable offers.
But the Belgium international has also been told the club expect him to be at Villa Park next season.
He signed from Genk in August 2012 and has three years left on his contract.
Villa manager Paul Lambert said: "While we're hugely disappointed that Christian has put in a transfer request, it's important that people appreciate we are trying to build something strong and vibrant here at the club - something this club demands and stands for, and we want Christian to be part of that."
The fourth-highest Premier League scorer in 2012-13, Benteke scored in a 2-0 win over Swansea on his Villa debut, hit two in a 3-1 win at Liverpool in December and a second-half hat-trick in a 6-1 rout of Sunderland in April.
He received a warning from boss Lambert in May after he was quoted in national newspapers suggesting he would seek a transfer.
He was reported at the time as saying: "If Aston Villa say I must stay, I won't necessarily accept that."
Lambert replied: "I don't 100% know what's happened but he's got three years here and the club have always come first."
The 6ft 3in international, whose agent claimed the forward was misquoted in May, has attracted interest from several clubs and is keen to cement his place in the Belgium team for next year's World Cup in Brazil.
A statement released by the club said: "Having received his transfer request, we have also informed him that should we receive an offer within an appropriate timeframe during pre-season which meets our valuation, we would act upon it.
"But he will remain a Villa player should this not happen.
"He was reminded that there are three years remaining on his contract, we consider him to be a Villa player and expect that he will be with us for the 2013-14 season."
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