Premier League: Tottenham makes sense for Benteke

Christian Benteke has submitted a transfer request to Aston Villa

With the shock news emerging that Christian Benteke has handed in a transfer request at Aston Villa, Christian Crowther assesses the striker's best destination...

It's the news Aston Villa fans were dreading as, little over 10 months into his four-year deal at Villa Park, their star striker Christian Benteke has handed in a transfer request.

There is no doubting that the contract situation leaves the midlands outfit in a strong bargaining position but, in these days of player power, underpinned by greedy agents, Benteke will in all probability be able to force through a move.

The market has already reacted strongly to the announcement, valuing Benteke's chances of remaining at Villa at 11.010/1 and, after the Belgian banged in 19 Premier League goals in his debut season, there is sure to be no shortage of big clubs hovering.

So where should he go? In a World Cup year, many observers would have viewed Benteke's remaining a Villa player for this season at least as his best option, guaranteed a starting role at an improving club.

However, now Benteke has shown his hand in this manner, Paul Lambert is unlikely to be receptive to keeping him in the team. We have already witnessed his breakdown of relations with previous star striker Darren Bent, which has seen the former England striker languishing in the reserves.

It's no surprise to see Chelsea and Tottenham emerge as the early frontrunners to make a play for his services.

Chelsea's failure to land Paris St-Germain-bound Edinson Cavani will certainly stir the rumour pot, but this could be potentially disastrous for the young Belgian.

If he moved to Stamford Bridge then he would be in direct competition with compatriot Romelu Lukaku, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba for one starting spot.

With his playing style so similar to that of fellow countryman Lukaku, they would be in real danger of stifling each other's ambitions to play for Belgium in Brazil next
summer.

However, a move to Tottenham may just be the perfect fit. It's no secret that Spurs have been chasing another striker for over a year now and look like they have finally given up on landing Leandro Damiao.

And with the much lambasted Emmanuel Adebayor supposedly close to agreeing a move to Turkey there could be no better time.

Jermain Defoe should remain to give him competition for a starting role but, given his susceptibility to injury and Andre Villas-Boas' preference to play a proper target man, Benteke could slot in seamlessly at White Hart Lane.

If Spurs do capture him, expect to see their price for a top-four place shrink from 2.789/5 presently.