Aston Villa 'place £40m price tag on Christian Benteke'

Aston Villa have reportedly placed a £40m price tag on Christian Benteke's head amid interest from several parties.

Atletico Madrid, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are the latest clubs to be linked with the Belgian, and Villans boss Paul Lambert is hoping to deter them with the steep asking price, The Mirror reports.

Benteke's representatives have allegedly held talks with Atletico director general Miguel Angel Gil Marin about a potential summer move after manager Diego Simeone identified him as a replacement from Radamel Falcao.

Spurs are said to be willing to offer a part exchange deal that would see Jermain Defoe move in the opposite direction, with Arsenal monitoring the situation closely.

Benteke joined Villa from Genk last summer in a deal worth £8m.