Aston Villa Prepared to Fine Unsettled Striker Christian Benteke if He Refuses to Return to Pre-Season Training

Posted by

Belgium enjoyed a stunning debut campaign at Villa Park last season. 

Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts

Want-away Aston Villa front man Christian Benteke will be hit in the pocket with a fine by the Midlands club if he fails to show up for training on Thursday, reports the Birmingham Mail.

The coveted Belgium international was due to report back for pre-season training with the rest of  his Villa team-mates on Saturday July 6, only for the player’s representatives to then inform the club that the striker wanted to leave Villa Park this summer.

As a result, Villa head coach Paul Lambert gave Benteke an extra 12 days off ahead of the new season, but if the 22-year-old does not turn up as requested on Thursday at Bodymoor Heath then he will be hit with a fine of one week’s wages, which works out at £20,000.

So far Villa are still waiting to hear from any potential suitors that may be interested in the attacker, who only arrived in the Midlands from Belgium outfit Genk on a four-year deal last August at a cost of just £7 million, although they are understood to be bracing themselves for an offer from Tottenham Hotspur for their star man at some point this week.

Benteke top scored for Villa last season, netted 23 goals in just 39 matches for the struggling club.


More Stories Aston Villa FC