Post by jockcas on Jul 13, 2013 5:58:04 GMT
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas is expected to make the first move in his bid to sign the Belgium international by submitting a formal offer, in a clear attempt to test the resolve of Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner.
Though Villa are insistent that any bids under £25 million will be instantly rejected, Spurs are confident of completing a deal for Benteke and believe the price tag placed on the 22-year-old is unrealistic.
Villa have made it clear that only a straight cash offer will be considered and they are not interested in any Spurs players as part of the deal, but Villas-Boas has the backing of chairman Daniel Levy to kick off what is certain to be a bitter battle to prise the forward from Lerner.
Spurs are prepared to offer Benteke around £70,000 a week – a significant increase on his current salary at Villa Park – and can promise him first-team football, with Emmanuel Adebayor set to be sold before the start of the season.
But Lerner is believed to be in combative mood over the future of Benteke, who stunned Villa manager Paul Lambert on Monday by handing in a transfer request.
Though Villa are insistent that any bids under £25 million will be instantly rejected, Spurs are confident of completing a deal for Benteke and believe the price tag placed on the 22-year-old is unrealistic.
Villa have made it clear that only a straight cash offer will be considered and they are not interested in any Spurs players as part of the deal, but Villas-Boas has the backing of chairman Daniel Levy to kick off what is certain to be a bitter battle to prise the forward from Lerner.
Spurs are prepared to offer Benteke around £70,000 a week – a significant increase on his current salary at Villa Park – and can promise him first-team football, with Emmanuel Adebayor set to be sold before the start of the season.
But Lerner is believed to be in combative mood over the future of Benteke, who stunned Villa manager Paul Lambert on Monday by handing in a transfer request.