Christian Benteke to Liverpool: Aston Villa striker ready to reject Tottenham

Spurs are understood to be lining up a bid for the Belgium international

Christian Benteke (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool's hopes of signing Christian Benteke have been boosted after it was reported that the Aston Villa striker will reject any approach from Tottenham.

Spurs are keen on signing the Belgium international and are reportedly willing to offer Emmanuel Adebayor to get their man.

But even if an agreement can be reached with Aston Villa, Benteke will not switch to White Hart Lane because he remains unhappy with the way Spurs acted when they tried to sign him two years ago.

Benteke handed in a transfer request in 2013 because he thought Spurs were about to offer Villa £25m. However, no bid was made, leaving Benteke in an awkward position and he eventually signed a new contract at Villa Park.

It is believed that chain of events has made Benteke wary of another approach from Spurs.

That leaves Liverpool in the driving seat for the striker who has scored 49 goals in 99 Villa games since joining from Genk in 2012.

Liverpool are refusing to pay Benteke's £32.5m release clause that Aston Villa insist they will hold out for. The Independent understands the Reds are willing to offer players in the opposite direction with Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini among those Brendan Rodgers will countenance letting go. No bid has yet been placed.

The chase for Benteke comes against the background of his known desire to leave the Midlands club. The player has indicated that he won’t be signing a new contract to stay beyond the 24 months remaining on his current deal.