LONDON, England, May 24- Christian Benteke’s Aston Villa future has been thrown into doubt by the player himself as he revealed he would consider a move to Arsenal.
The Belgian striker enjoyed a stellar campaign in the Premier League, bagging 19 goals at the first attempt, and has attracted interest from a number of leading clubs.
But speaking to Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad, he revealed that he could be tempted to leave if Villa received an offer from one of the Premier League elite.
He said: ‘If Aston Villa say I must stay, I won’t necessarily accept that. I do not in any way want to feel I didn’t get the most out of my career.’
Meanwhile, in the Daily Express, he added: ‘I hope that if I leave my club a deal can be done more quickly than the one last year.
‘There is no point in me getting into a tug-of-war with Villa, and I don’t think there is any need for one. If the chance comes up for me to join a club like Arsenal, I am convinced that we can reach a compromise where everybody comes out a winner.’
Benteke continued: ‘I have asked my agent not to bother me with transfer talk while I am away on Belgium duty. It’s now down to him to do his job. I have known him since I was 14 years old, and I have complete confidence in him.’
Villa boss Paul Lambert has been steadfast in his belief that his star man, who has three years remaining on his contract, will still be at the club next season.
Reflecting on his future, he added: ‘Of course playing the World Cup is in my head. But I have no fear of falling out of the team. With my family, I will decide where my future lies.’
-Daily Mail
