Aston Villa star ready to vie for Arsenal and Tottenham attention

After a blistering debut campaign in England, Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke has carried his red hot seasonal form to the international scene, netting twice in Belgium’s 4-2 World Cup qualifier success over Serbia last time out.

And the powerful striker, 22, now looks ready to force a move away from Villa, who shelled out £7m to Genk only a year ago in order to secure his services.

Paul Lambert is desperate to hold on to his prize asset, who proved one of the signings of the season by racking up 23 goals across all competitions in his maiden English campaign.

Indeed, Lambert has long outlined his hope that the Belgian international will remain with the Villans, but his interest in a long line of strikers suggest he may have finally accepted that Benteke’s future lies elsewhere.

A move to north London is preferable for the powerhouse, with Arsenal and Tottenham both keen on Benteke, who may be lured to the former outfit in light of their Champions League qualification.

However, the PFA Young Player of the Year nominee has told international team-mates he would listen to any forthcoming Spurs offer, as performing for a side in the upper echelons of England’s top flight appears his main priority.

That said though, offers from aboard may too warrant serious consideration from Benteke, who has drawn the attention of Atletico Madrid as they search to fill the immense void left by Radamel Falcao’s departure.

Benteke represents a player in a similar mould to the Colombian, and the Spanish outfit may test Villa’s resolve with a £15m bid, a fee that both the Gunners and Tottenham are prepared to match.

Unwilling to sign the new Villa Park contract that Lambert is so desperate to offer him, Benteke looks destined to leave his Midlands employers this summer, even if his next club is open to debate.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.