Christian Benteke has handed in a transfer request, Aston Villa have confirmed.
The Midlands clubs also made it clear that the Belgian striker, will be allowed to leave, if the right bid comes in within an appropriate timeframe.
The former Genk frontman took the Premier League by storm last season, scoring 19 times and was instrumental to Villa retaining their top-flight status.
However, it appears the interest from Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid, have turned the 22-year-old’s head.
A club statement read: “In response to reports that Christian Benteke has not travelled to Germany with the club and has made a transfer request, we can confirm that both are accurate.
“For clarity’s sake, however, he had already been given extra time off until July 18 and was reminded that there are three years remaining on his contract.
“We consider him to be a Villa player and expect that he will be with us for the 2013-14 season.
“Having received his transfer request, we have also informed him that should we receive an offer within an appropriate timeframe during pre-season which meets our valuation we would act upon it. But he will remain a Villa player should this not happen.”
Villa manager Paul Lambert was clearly unhappy about the striker’s decision, but hopes that he will be at the club when the season starts.
“While we’re hugely disappointed that Christian has put in a transfer request, it’s important that people appreciate we are trying to build something strong and vibrant here at the club, something this club demands and stands for, and we want Christian to be part of that,” he said.
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