Sign up NOW for our daily Villa newsletter direct to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Manchester United are expected to bid for Christian Benteke before the end of the week.

Reds boss Louis van Gaal has been closely monitoring the Aston Villa forward this summer and is now likely to lodge an official approach in the coming days.

Boss Tim Sherwood is desperate to keep hold of his prized asset but is powerless to prevent him from moving if the £32.5m buyout clause in his contract is met.

Liverpool still remain keen and could now be forced into action with United ready to swoop, however those close to Benteke insist he would prefer a move to Old Trafford.

PICTURES - Villa's ins and outs this summer:

It remains the big Belgian’s dream to play in the Champions League and by moving to Manchester he would achieve that.

Benteke is here in Portugal with the rest of the squad at Villa’s training camp but could be on the move if United firm up their interest.

Earlier today the 24-year-old favourited a tweet from a fan who said the star was “exactly what they needed” as back-up to striker Wayne Rooney. He has since un-favourited it.

Sherwood told the Birmingham Mail yesterday that he hoped Benteke would follow skipper Fabian Delph’s lead by turning his back on a big-money move to remain at Villa Park.

Villa's 2015-16 fixture list: