Christian Benteke has stunned Aston Villa by handing in a transfer request.
The 22-year-old Belgium striker, who was the club's top scorer with 19 Premier League goals last season, has been left behind from the club's pre-season training trip to Germany.
Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal have all been linked with the powerful 6ft 4in front man, who has spent the summer stalling over the offer of a new contract.
Villa will put a £25m price tag on Benteke in an effort to scare off potential bidders, who could also include Atletico Madrid.
But they have admitted that if anybody matches their valuation they will allow the former Genk striker to talk.
A club statement last night said: 'For clarity's sake we should make it clear that Christian 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 time frame during pre-season which meets our valuation we would act upon it. But he will remain a Villa player should this not happen.'
Paul Lambert said: '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.'
Source: Daily Mail
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