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Liverpool target Christian Benteke will NOT hand in a transfer request at Aston Villa, according to reports.

The Reds have made the Belgian one of their main targets this summer, and are ready to pursue a £20m move for the striker in the coming weeks.

Villa boss Tim Sherwood revealed last week that Benteke has a £32.5m buyout clause in his contract, and the Midlanders are keen to open talks with the 24-year-old over a potential new deal.

Having been beaten in Saturday’s FA Cup final by Arsenal, however, Villa are increasingly resigned to losing their top scorer, with Benteke keen to play in European competition next season.

Despite that, it is understood that he will not hand in a formal transfer request, and will instead look to resolve the situation amicably. Benteke asked for a transfer from Villa Park in 2013, when Tottenham were interested in him, but was eventually forced to stay, and he is believed to be keen to avoid a repeat.

Former Villa boss Paul Lambert, meanwhile, expects him to leave.

Lambert, who signed the frontman from Genk in 2012, said: “It looks like if he is going to go, it will be this year.

"I had it every year I was there that he probably wanted to go, because he was playing that well. You can’t stop teams coming in with that level of money.

“He’s certainly good enough. He’s only 24, he’s got years ahead of him. He didn’t have a good game on Saturday, but he is a top, top player.”