Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has expressed dissatisfaction at Christian Benteke’s decision to leave the club.
Benteke, already linked with Premier league rivals, Arsenal and Chelsea handed in a transfer request Tuesday morning. To further fuel his eminent exit, Monday evening news reveals that the Belgian did not travel with the club for a pre-season training camp in Germany after being granted extended leave
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.”
The club also reacted to Benteke’s decision with disappointment but are hopeful of retaining his services. “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.”
The statement added : “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.”
Benteke helped Villa to avoid relegation last season scoring 19 goals in the league, and 23 in all competitions after moving to the Midlands from Genk for a reported £7 million.
