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Cape Town - Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has unequivocally dismissed
any suggestions the club are looking to offload striker Christian
Benteke during the January transfer window.
Benteke, who joined the Villans from Belgian outfit Genk in 2012, enjoyed an excellent first season at Villa Park but has struggled to regain his best form following a a series of injuries while he missed the World Cup due to a ruptured Achilles.
Currently in 15th place, Villa have struggled for goals this term, with Benteke netting three of just 11 goals from their opening 22 Premier League games.
The Belgium international will no doubt play a huge part if struggling Villa are to beat the drop this season, and Lambert says their is no way the 24-year-old will be sold, despite interest from Tottenham and Liverpool.
"No chance," the Scot is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
"£25m? That’s for his left boot that one. Listen, there is no way and I am pretty sure (Chairman) Randy (Lerner) will be totally fine."
Lambert added that the club are open to bringing in another striker to give them more steel going forward, but laughed off any suggestions they were looking to sign Jermaine Defoe before he joined Sunderland, admitting that Villa were in no position financially to meet the 32-year-old's £80,000-a-week demands.
"A top, top striker in football now you are talking, £10m, £15m-plus," said Lambert. "I knew we weren't going to do these sort of things. I had to respect Randy’s way and there is no problem that is the way the club is."
Benteke, who joined the Villans from Belgian outfit Genk in 2012, enjoyed an excellent first season at Villa Park but has struggled to regain his best form following a a series of injuries while he missed the World Cup due to a ruptured Achilles.
Currently in 15th place, Villa have struggled for goals this term, with Benteke netting three of just 11 goals from their opening 22 Premier League games.
The Belgium international will no doubt play a huge part if struggling Villa are to beat the drop this season, and Lambert says their is no way the 24-year-old will be sold, despite interest from Tottenham and Liverpool.
"No chance," the Scot is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
"£25m? That’s for his left boot that one. Listen, there is no way and I am pretty sure (Chairman) Randy (Lerner) will be totally fine."
Lambert added that the club are open to bringing in another striker to give them more steel going forward, but laughed off any suggestions they were looking to sign Jermaine Defoe before he joined Sunderland, admitting that Villa were in no position financially to meet the 32-year-old's £80,000-a-week demands.
"A top, top striker in football now you are talking, £10m, £15m-plus," said Lambert. "I knew we weren't going to do these sort of things. I had to respect Randy’s way and there is no problem that is the way the club is."
