Christian Benteke has been linked with a move away from Villa Park, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all said to be interested in the 22-year-old striker.
However, Paul Lambert insisted any interested clubs ‘better have a few quid in their pocket’ if they wish to sign the Belgium international.
Benteke, who signed for Aston Villa in the summer from Genk for £8 million, has netted 14 goals for Lambert’s side.
But with Villa in a relegation scrap, Benteke may look to jump ship if they are condemned to the Championship at the end of the season.
Lambert is eager to keep hold of the in-from striker and has warned that any potential bidders must be willing to dig deep to prise him away from Villa Park in the summer:
‘When the guy came into Villa, people were saying to me ‘who is he and why are you going for someone from Genk?’
‘With what he’s done, he’s a cult hero already. He’s only 22 and he’s got years and years ahead of him. He’s not at his peak, but what he’s done for me and for the club is fantastic.
‘If someone wanted to buy Christian, they’d better have a few quid in their pocket.’
When asked if Benteke had doubled in value since his arrival, Lambert responded:
‘Yes, by miles.
‘He’s not just going to walk out of here for the value he came for, that’s for sure.’
Taking all this into account, should Arsenal look to bring in Benteke at the end of the season?
Personally, I don’t think we are in desperate need of a striker. Olivier Giroud has finally settled at the club, Theo Walcott is coming into his own and Lukas Podolski can also be utilized in the centre-forward role if need be.
Benteke has done well for a struggling Villa side and, in my opinion, I think he should look to move if they are indeed relegated from the Premier League this season.
But I think a lot of teams will be unwilling to pay £16 million for a relatively unproven striker, Arsenal included.
Should Arsenal monitor Benteke’s situation this summer?
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Should and would are two entirely different things when it comes to Arsenal splashing cash to acquire a player. That being the case, you have to look at it the way Wenger would.
Profligacy in front of goal aside, Giroud and Podolski are showing signs of signs of settling in nicely (along with Cazorla) and Walcott has become more consistent as well. It is easy to see that by next season these three should be ready to hit on all cylinders as a strike-force. Walcott has made it clear that he wants more opportunities to play through the middle and Podolski can also play there, too–even though neither of this pair offers as much as Giroud in that position. That being the case, Arsenal is not as thin at this position as many may think. Moreover, bringing in a player who is strictly a center forward to back up Giroud might upset Walcott, who can be moody and is a bit of a prima donna.
Additionally, Arsenal already has two promising young central strikers in development: Afobe and Akpom. Wenger liked the latter so much that he had him training with the first team in the summer even though he is extremely young. It’s still too early to tell if one or both of these young talents will come good, but if one or both do, it will be within the next 2-3 years. And, certainly, a young player who comes up through the academy system comes a lot cheaper than what it would cost to buy a Beneteke at this point. Moreover, when a young player from the academy, like a Wilshere, develops into a star quality player it reflects more favorably on the club and manager than when a club simply buys a young player that has already shown star quality. And, make no mistake, Wenger gets as much or more satisfaction out of being known as the manager who developed a certain player into a star as he does from winning silverware.
Taking all of that into consideration, it is more likely that Arsenal will target a striker that can also play (or even primarily play) out on the wing as well as in the center forward position if Wenger decides to even bring in another forward player. With Arshavin’s contract winding down and Myaichi having an injury-plagued loan spell this season, it is more likely that Wenger will look to bring in a quality player to compete with Gervinho and Oxlaide-Chamberlain for playing time behind Podolski and Walcott. Even though he apparently played well in the African Nations Cup, Gervinho has been very inconsistent, at best, since arriving at Arsenal. And, while “The Ox” has shown flashes of brilliance playing out wide generally behind Walcott, his passing, shooting and defensive work still need considerable improvement (as you might expect from one so young) before he can fulfill his great promise. Moreover, there have been some indications that ultimately Oxlaide-Chamberlain may end up being his best playing through the middle out of the midfield–which would create even more of an opening at the wing position.
Considering all of these factors (including Joel Campbell’s development in Spain), I doubt that Wenger would be willing to spend a lot of money on a 22 year old like Benteke, who might prove to be a “one year wonder” (although I don’t think so). I think he will look to buy an established scorer who can play out on the wing to cover that position and replace Arshavin on the roster. Will it be an older player, like Villa, who won’t block the progress of Wenger’s prized young prospects or a player in his prime, like Jovetic, who would supplant Gervinho in a four man rotation up front and allow “The Ox” to be used in the midfield at times? I don’t know. I think that would depend on how productive Gervinho the remainder of the season, if Arsenal secures a CL position, and what kind of pressure the club is under to make a public relations splash by spending a large sum on a player (like Jovetic) when the season is over. I think Benteke will cost too much and doesn’t have sufficient pedegree for Wenger to be willing to buy him, even if Wenger feels that Benteke would be able to be productive playing primarily on the wing and off the bench.
That being said, from what I have seen of him, I like Benteke and think he could thrive at Arsenal of the other factors that I cited did not prevent him from getting playing time behind Giroud. But I don’t think anyone will be brought in just to fill that role as long as Walcott is on the team–not unless it is a player who comes up through the Arsenal youth system who seizes that spot.
No disrespect to Arsenal, but this lad is going to one of the big boys. He’s already good enough at 22, he won’t jump ship from a Villa side unlikely to ever win anything for another one in Arsenal. Man City are very keen but I’ve heard Spain or Italy are strong options. Either was Villa can look forward to at least trebling the 7m they paid Genk for him.
Big boys? You consider Man City a bigger club than Arsenal? He’s already stated Arsenal as his favoured destination. If you don’t feel Arsenal are a top club, you’re entitled to your opinion, but Arsenal are one of the biggest, most supported clubs in world football. Only Man Utd and Liverpool rival them in England. That’s not an opinion, it’s a fact.
As for a team unlikely to ever win anything, please do not compare Arsenal to Aston Villa. While we have not won anything for 7 years, we have been in a Champions League Final, 2 Carling Cup Finals (unfortunate not to win against Barca and Chelsea) and a couple of Title Races (should have won in 07/08). What have Aston Villa achieved recently, other than a couple of failed Champions League Qualification attempts under Martin O’Neill?
When you consider we are getting financially stronger every year and increasing the club’s global brand, it’s absolutely moronic to act as if Arsenal will be also-fans in both the short and long term future.
Those that think Villa will get more than £16m for Benteke are deluded. Even if Man City bid for him (which I doubt, as they’ll no doubt be looking at far bigger names such as Cavani), which other clubs will start a bidding war for him? Not good enough for Barcelona or Real Madrid, all the other clubs in Spain are short of money, can’t see any of the top Italian teams moving for him, and the cash rich clubs such as PSG and Anzhi will be looking at bigger names.
Arsenal and/or Spurs (if they fail once again to sign Damiao) could move for him, but neither will bid more than £16m.
Wouldn’t be against the signing of Benteke, but when a far more talented option in Stevan Jovetic is available for around £20m, he’s the high calibre player we should be looking at, that could genuinely be the difference in winning trophies.
also-runs*
I agree, a striker is not a priority as like you say, Giroud, Podolski or Walcott can play there – so that’s 3 good options for one position.
A Wide player should be a priority – as at the moment, only Walcott and Ox are quick enough to be wingers. Podolski does ok when he plays there and I understand Monreal could play there – but it would be better to have someone along the lines of Mata or Silva, or going further back, Pires or Overmars – basically someone quick but also a goal threat.
And also a defensive midfielder who will literally sit and protect the fragile back 4, allowing whoever plays in front of them (Cazorla, Wilshire, Arteta to rotate with Ramsey and Diaby as back up) to play their natural game.
Just my opinion!
NO….. ABSOLUTELY NOT. NEXT
£16M?
You can add at least another £10M on to that fee before you’ll get close to opening negotiations.
Justification you ask? Well, Carrol £35M. Torres £50M etc.
No offence, and I know he professes to being an Arsenal fan when growing up – but this kid is good. Really good. And we know a thing or two about good centre forwards at VP believe me.
Being blunt, he’s destined for bigger and better things than Arsenal. He’ll end up at somewhere like Chelsea/Man City/one of the Milan clubs.
“And we know a thing or two about good centre forwards at VP believe me”
Such as? Sense Benteke may have been idolising the likes of Bergkamp and Henry rather than Dean Saunders and Dion Dublin.
As for £35m for Carrol and £50m for Torres, everyone realises they were ridiculously over inflated prices. You’ll be lucky to get half the fee Liverpool paid for Carroll.
Being blunt, Benteke may be a big fish in a small pond at Villa, but it’s the world class talents like Cavani, Falcao and Jovetic that the big clubs will be showing interest in this Summer.
No chance of getting in the AC Milan team ahead of El Sharaawy or Balotelli, City will be looking at an elite striker to replace Balotelli (and potentially Tevez) and I doubt Chelsea will be in for him, after signing Demba Ba. If they sign another striker, it’ll be a similar situation to Man City, an elite striker such as Falcao or Cavani.
“Such as? Sense Benteke may have been idolising the likes of Bergkamp and Henry rather than Dean Saunders and Dion Dublin.”
You see you show your age there mate. I’m thinking more of Andy Gray, Peter Withe, Dwight Yorke.
Yes, Carroll and Torres were way over-priced. Yes, Cavanis and Falcaos are top of the tree (disagree about Jovetic mind, he’s too inconsistent). But my point still stands – Benteke is ready for the very top now. He won’t go to Arsenal. He wants to win things ;o)
Linked with a 28m move to Real Madrid now
Is the source for that The Sun or Daily Star?
If he moves to Real Madrid for a fee anywhere close to that, i’ll be amazed. Far better strikers available in Europe for that price.
Why not michu from qpr if they are looking at the drop?
He plays for Swansea, and will now cost about the same price as Soldado from Valencia, despite only being half as good.
Negrego, a proven La Liga striker of many years is available for around 8-10m.
Jovetic, one of the best young talents in football is available for 20m.
Spain’s top scorer, David Villa, will be available for around 10m.
Aston Villa fans honestly think they’re getting over 25m for Benteke after a few impressive months? Chelsea and Man City appear to have learnt from their mistakes, you’ll just have to hope Zenit or Anzhi come in for him, but that’s a long shot. Europe’s big clubs will not be swarming for him, when the pick of talent from Spain (outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona) is readily available and bargains are to be had in France and Germany.
Prepare to be disappointed. He’ll go for around 15m.
No thanks. Not an improvement on strikers we currently have.