Transfer News: Spurs Prepare Bid For Chelsea Striker Target

Although the summer transfer window is officially closed that doesn’t stop clubs working hard behind the scenes to prepare for future signings, so we’ll keep you up-to-date with all the latest gossip. Today, Spurs eye move for Christian Benteke.

Tottenham Hotspur are lining up a £28m January bid for Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke with Chelsea also understood to be keen on the striker, according to the Daily Mail.

Benteke was thought to be on the verge of joining Spurs in the summer before last ditch talks with boss Paul Lambert saw him perform a sensational u-turn and opt to sign a new four-year deal at Villa Park.

However, skeptics say Benteke only plans to remain with Villa for another year before seeking a big-money move and he could get his wish a little sooner than expected if Andre Villas-Boas get’s his way.

The Mail claim that Spurs are set to test Villa’s resolve with a £28m bid in January with AVB desperate to bring in a striker who can lead the line in his 4-3-3 formation, with Roberto Soldado yet to fully find his feet in England following his switch from Valencia in August.

Chelsea were also heavily linked with a move for Benteke during the summer and the newspaper suggests the west Londoners could enter the bidding this winter with Jose Mourinho yet to find a striker capable of holding down a first team place on a regular basis this season.

The 22-year-old has proven to be an astute purchase by Lambert after scoring 28 goals in just 46 games since his move from Genk in 2012, and the Mail believes it will take an offer in the region of £35m to persuade the Midlanders to cash in mid-season.

Even if Spurs or Chelsea were able to agree a fee with Villa, it remains to be seen whether the player himself would be open to the move as it could jeopardise his chances of starting for Belgium at the World Cup next summer if he failed to settle at his new club during the second half of the season.

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