Aston Villa have failed with an offer for Genk striker Christian Benteke according to his agent.
Villa are understood to have bid in the region of £5.5m for the Belgium international, 21, who has scored three goals in five matches this season. Asked about the offer, agent Eris Kismet said: "It's true. They are comparing him to Eden Hazard but he's only started one game for Belgium."
Aston Villa have declined to comment on the offer.
Who is Benteke?
- Born in DR Congo in 1990
- Starts his career with Genk but joins Standard Liege in 2007
- Spends 2009-10 on loan at Kortrijk, scoring 14 goals
- Wins first Belgium cap as a substitute in 2-1 win over Bulgaria in May 2010
- Returns to Genk on a permanent basis in August 2011, scoring 16 goals last season
Paul Lambert has admitted he is in the market for new strikers but ruled out moves for Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe and Sunderland's Kenwyne Jones last week.
Benteke scored in Belgium's 4-2 win over the Netherlands, which was his first start for his country. Kismet played down claims that his player, who scored 16 goals last season, has gone on strike after learning Genk had turned down Villa's offer.
He said that Benteke is ill but is expecting to feature in Genk's Europa League match with Lucerne on Thursday night.
Kismet added: "Christian has always said he wants to play in the Premier League. It's no use to compare him to Eden Hazard. He's not at that level and far from it.
"He's a Belgian player with half a good season behind him. Genk don't seem to want to collaborate."
Villa have lost their opening two Premier League matches this season.
Source: British Broadcasting Corporation
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário