According to reports from German media outlet Bild, Wolfsburg are plotting a summer move for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke. The German side’s Sporting Director Klaus Allofs has claimed that they are looking for a new striker who can lead the line up front.
We had reported earlier last week that Chelsea are also interested in the Belgian while Liverpool are also keeping tabs on the £30m rated striker. Italian side Roma are also interested in the player while Manchester United are also in the reckoning.
Bild however report that the 24-year-old has a market value of €14m (£10m) and despite having two years left in his contract at Villa, he could be priced away to greener pastures. Wolfsburg though can’t afford to pay £30m (42m) as the other English heavyweights.
Benteke has scored 12 goals in his last 11 games after his nightmarish start to the season under previous manager Paul Lambert who was sacked in February earlier this year. His goalscoring prowess has helped Villa stave off relegation and new manager Tim Sherwood has warned the striker not to leave before Euro 2016, as it could jeopardize his chances of playing in the showcase tournament.
Sherwood was quoted saying, “I think it’s a gamble for anyone to leave before a Championship – I honestly believe that. If you’re settled somewhere and scoring goals and the idea is to stay in the international squad and go there on form then better the devil you know, than you don’t.”