Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Christian Benteke has rocked Aston Villa by slapping in a transfer request - putting Spurs on alert.

The striker, 22, is demanding to leave just one season after arriving from Genk for £8million.

Boss Paul Lambert had hoped to tie the powerful 6ft 3in Belgian to a new contract and double his £20,000-a-week salary.

But the forward, who bagged 23 goals last term, is believed to fancy a switch to Tottenham.

Benteke has not gone on Villa's pre-season tour and has been given extra-time off until next Thursday, July 18.

He has three years left on his contract and Chelsea and Man City are also interested.

Benteke is now thought to be back home in Belgium considering his options as he wants regular football ahead of the World Cup finals.

(Image: Neville Williams)

Villa will hold out for more than the club-record £26m deal which saw James Milner sold to Man City in 2010.

They are insisting any deal is done early while they are still in pre-season to avoid disrupting their looming campaign.

Benteke's bombshell is a massive blow to Lambert's regime after they finished his first season well.

The Scot said: "While we are hugely disappointed that Christian has put in a transfer request, it's important that people appreciate we are trying to build something strong and vibrant here at the club, something this club demands and stands for and we want Christian to be a part of that."

But Villa have struggled to hold onto their top players in recent years including Gareth Barry, James Milner, Stewart Downing and Ashley Young.

They have all been sold for big-money and Villa Park insiders are now bracing themselves for another transfer wrangle.

It is not the first time Benteke has taken a tough stance either.

He threatened to go on strike last summer at Genk in a bid to push through a protracted transfer to Villa Park.

What does Benteke's likely exit mean for Paul Lambert's Aston Villa project? James Nursey explores their options here.