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Tottenham have offered Jermain Defoe to Aston Villa in a cash-plus-player exchange for Christian Benteke.

In a shock move, the north Londoners have proposed what could be one of the biggest deals of the summer as they bid to offload the England striker and fans' favourite, who is surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane.

Villa have so far rejected the chance to sign 30-year-old Defoe and remain intent on persuading Benteke to put pen to paper on a new long-term contract.

But the 22-year-old Belgian - who scored 19 league goals in his debut season of English football to save Villa from relegation - is also a target for Atletico Madrid, who have indicated to the Villans they are ready to bid £25million for him, and Arsenal.

Atletico see Benteke as their No.1 target to replace Colombian superstar Radamel Falcao after his £50m move to Monaco.

Their coach, Diego Simeone, and director general, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, have held talks with Villa and told the Midlands club they want an answer within 10 days.

But Spurs are desperate to steal a march on their rivals and offered Defoe - who they value at around £7m - two weeks ago in a bid to sweeten a deal.

(Image: Getty Images)

Defoe has since been offered to other Premier League clubs, some of whom have indicated a willingness to sign him but also concern they cannot cope with the financial outlay.

The former Portsmouth frontman, believed to be on £70,000-a-week at Tottenham, hit 19 goals in all competitions last season.

However, he netted only twice after Christmas as he struggled with injury and saw opportunities restricted because boss Andre Villas-Boas preferred Emmanuel Adebayor - who's also on the way out of Spurs - up front.

Tottenham’s decision to listen to offers for Defoe is likely to leave him stunned.

He only signed a new three-year deal last summer, and believed it would end uncertainty over his future.