Tottenham Hotspur plan £20m Christian Benteke bid

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly planning to register a £20m opening offer for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke next week.

Benteke handed in a formal transfer request on Tuesday, forcing Paul Lambert to consider selling his star striker at the right price.

Villa want £25m to consider parting with the Belgian international, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is thought to see that valuation as unrealistic.

According to The Telegraph Spurs will formally offer £20m and tempt Benteke with wages of around £70,000 a week, with the promise of first-team football at White Hart Lane if a fee can be agreed.

The 22-year-old finished his debut season with Villa as the club's leading marksman, scoring 19 goals in his maiden Premier League campaign.