If Arsenal wants me, Aston Villa cannot stop me from moving – Benteke

Christian Benteke has cast doubts over his Aston Villa future, as he admitted he would jump at the chance to join Arsenal in the summer.

The big striker had a fantastic debut season in the Premier League, scoring 19 times and has been linked with a move away from Villa Park.

Arsene Wenger is in the market for a striker and is eyeing a deal for either Gonzalo Higuain or Stevan Jovetic. Benteke has now thrown in his name for consideration.

“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,” he told Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad.

He added in the Daily Express: “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.

“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.”

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