Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Benteke commits to Aston Villa until 2017

BIRMINGHAM - Christian Benteke sprang a major surprise last night when he withdrew his transfer request and signed a new contract at Aston Villa after the club had rejected an £18 million (S$34.8-million) bid from Tottenham Hotspur.

BIRMINGHAM - Christian Benteke sprang a major surprise last night when he withdrew his transfer request and signed a new contract at Aston Villa after the club had rejected an £18 million (S$34.8-million) bid from Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs had submitted the offer soon after the Belgium international handed in a written transfer request at the start of the month but, significantly, would not meet Villa’s expected valuation of £25 million.

Spurs had nevertheless been planning to make an improved bid later in the summer but Benteke has been persuaded to agree a new deal at Villa which extends his contract until 2017.

Spurs turned to the 22-year-old after deciding against signing David Villa, who has moved to Atletico Madrid, and still remain in the market for a top-class striker this summer with Emmanuel Adebayor expected to leave, the Daily Telegraph reported.

However, Villa manager Paul Lambert and club owner Randy Lerner remained adamant that they would not buckle under pressure and Benteke, who missed the club’s pre-season tour to Germany after being granted time off , returned to training earlier this week.

He has held talks with Lambert about his future and yesterday (July 19) evening Villa announced that a new deal had been struck for the striker who was signed last year for £7 million from Genk and enjoyed an impressive campaign, scoring 23 goals.

“Having had time to re-evaluate his future Christian has decided to commit to the club,” Lambert said. The announcement represents a huge boost to Villa. Chelsea had also expressed an interest in Benteke but have chosen to pursue Wayne Rooney instead.

Benteke had three years left on his present deal but has now agreed a contract extension which is expected to significantly increase his salary. Lambert added:

“I had a full and frank discussion with Christian on his return to training last week. It’s my opinion that the best thing for him is to remain at Villa. He enjoyed a terrific first season at the club and can use that as a platform to enjoy more success this season.”

Benteke, who becomes the seventh Villa player to agree a new deal this summer, said: “I spoke with the manager when I returned to training and we had a good talk. I’m happy to be back and to sign a new contract.” AGENCIES

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.