Villa pull off major coup by convincing Benteke to sign bumper contract... without release clause



Aston Villa have pulled off a major coup by managing not to include a release clause in Christian Benteke’s bumper new contract.

The Birmingham club persuaded the Belgium forward to sign a four-year deal late last week after talks between manager Paul Lambert and the player.

Villa had placed a £25million valuation on the head of the forward to ward off interest from Tottenham. Benteke handed in a transfer request on the back of that in the hope of securing a move to White Hart Lane.



VIDEO Scroll down to watch Benteke signs new Villa contract

Handshake: Christian Benteke, pictured with boss Paul Lambert, signed a new contract late last week

When it failed to materialise, an hour-long meeting with Lambert, allied to some quick decision-making and action by owner Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner, ended with the player making a spectacular U-turn.

Benteke secured a whopping pay rise, lifting his wages beyond the £2.5m-a-year mark as he became the eighth player to earn himself a new deal.

Now it seems Villa have negotiated a contract that does not include any release clause.

Change of mind: Benteke looked set for a move to Tottenham earlier this month having handed in a transfer request

This means, should Benteke reproduce the form he showed last year during his first season at Villa Park, when he scored 19 Premier League goals, his valuation could improve still further without any trigger in his deal that would automatically enable him to speak to any interested parties.

Meanwhile, the club are close to moving on Scotland right back Alan Hutton. Talks have been ongoing with Real Mallorca but no deal has yet been agreed.