‘If the chance comes up for me to join a club like Arsenal, I’m convinced we can reach a compromise where everyone comes out a winner.’
These are the words of Christian Benteke who says if the right offer comes along this summer then he would think about it.
The 22-year-old signed for Villa from Genk last summer for around £7 million and hit the ground running in his first season in the Premier League.
Benteke managed to find the net 19 times in 34 Premier League appearances this season – only Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez and Robin van Persie managed to outscore the Belgium international.
Yet despite an individually impressive season for the 6’3’’ striker, and having three-years left to run on his existing deal at Villa Park, Benteke would consider his options if there was an opportunity to play for a top four club next season.
His valuation is believed to have more than trebled over the course of the season, meaning he would cost interested clubs around the £21 million mark.
But Paul Lambert believes he still has a lot to learn and should remain at Villa Park before making a hasty decision.
Arsene Wenger has been linked with a host of strikers ahead of the summer transfer window, like Gonzalo Higuain and Stevan Jovetic.
But with Benteke eager to join The Gunners, should Wenger answer the Belgian’s call?
Let us know what you think below in the comments section
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breaks my heart 2 say he will leave cause of the financial reasons and we r piss pot selling club,but this kid can be as good as any striker i have seen,he is that good,b4 u gooners get carried away he is far 2 good 4 u as well,so if he goes 2 u,he will be gone within 12 months ie man u, man c,barca will come calling(cause your like us)
Considering the unique qualities of Premier League , Benteke might be a better choice than any other striker from other leagues. There something to be said about Benteke’s 19 goals playing for a side like Villa( no disrespect to Villa’s young squad). The fact he was able to dominate Chelsea’s defenders should be worth a premium in itself, seeing as they are our direct rivals. The move he made on Gary Cahill , leaving him for dead and slotting the ball past Peter Cech was a mark of a really special player.
Mr wenger is stubborn. He wants to be the one who unearths gem’s. Anyway’s I personally think benteke could cause problems with his ego & bad attitude. We don’t need another ungreatfull adi- buy- whore.
this kid could be every bit as good as drogba,and at 22 he is fuckin scary,he is by far the best forward since withe,shaw etc,scary potential,2 gooners mind u henry,bergkamp,wright he could b up there
Bring him to arsenal pliz and Michu too. £15mil each would still leave Wenger with more than half his budget to spend. No need to buy Ashley Williams, vermalean is younger and much better just a bleep season.
I think Benteke is a good player but he’s like a right footed Poldi. He plays deep, collects the ball, dribbles and rifles shots at goal. Difference being the Villa game revolves around him so he has alot of chances and he plays every week. Poldi doesn’t have the same luxury – he’s played out left and is not the main striker and can hardly get 90 minutes a week. I think we need a natural goalscorer who can lead the line. Poldi is more of a second striker behind a main striker. Maybe Giroud will get better, maybe he’ll be the same but that is the gamble Wenger is going to have to take if he’s not going to buy a natural goalscorer like Higuain.
@WC. People said the same thing about RVP’s chances at Man U. How the entire Arsenal side was working for RVP thus making him better than he really was , and this wasn’t going to be the case at Man U. Benteke has a physical presence Podolski lacks, he can be a threat in the air which Arsenal badly need considering how very few goals they score from set pieces. And did I mention he wants to play for Arsenal? Does Higuain?
Tom..Benteke said if a club LIKE arsenal come in for me he would want to go. He didn’t say I want to play for arsenal. meaning if a bigger club then arsenal came for him he would be going there. So have a day off from being an argumentive Wankstaine.
@gunner be frustrating. Benteke did actually say he was an Arsenal fan growing up, and I believe it’s ‘argumentative Wankstein’ not ‘ argumentive Wankstain ‘ if it’s your intention to label me an opinionated, pugnacious or quarrelsome person of Jewish descent. If you learnt how to spell correctly perhaps you wouldn’t be such a frustrating gunner
Firstly a big thanks to you Gooners for beating Wigan and sealing our premiership survival. In our present state I seriously couldn’t see us winning on the last day if it actually mattered. As for Benteke, I think it will cost more than £15m to make the sale. With the supposed number of interested clubs its possibly double that. However, as mentioned above, his ego, and indeed his agent could be a problem. It’s possible a year after taking him to the Emirates him and his agent are suddenly talking about Real Madrid or Barca and again being open to offers.
@SussexVilla. If he can be had for 15 mill. , and scores 19 goals for Arsenal like he did for Villa , then he can go where he pleases. It’s not going to be for less than 15 mill, no problem there.
Well said villa fan.
Agree Benteke has had a good season for Villa and his premier experience would be a bonus but would have to agree with above he’s not a natural front man which is what Arsenal really need. Also with 3 years left on his contract Villa have no reason to sell. Put Walcott up front and get another midfielder for support such as Michu
The whole thing is becoming interesting. First it was Jovetic, then Higuain and later Rooney. Now, it’s Benteke. Left to me I’d like Wenger to sign both Benteke and Rooney. The former had said he wants to play for Arsenal and the latter is unsettled with our rival. I believe it’s an opportunity for Arsenal to utilize. Then there will be competition for places which at the long run will enhance our title ambition. We can complete the team an additional DM a center back and replace an unsettled Sagna at RB. Just watch out for Arsenal next season lifting trophy after trophy. Wenger shouldn’t bother about signing both Jovetic and Higuain, it will take a while before they adjust to the EPL.
He had one good season. His first in the EPL. Lets not waste our dosh on the kid until he’s proven himself with consistency!