The thing is, I don't really think he is other than size. He's got the pace that Giroud dreams of and scores all kinds of goals. If we aren't going to be in the running for a guy like Higuain, Benteke needs to get locked up quickly.

Villa is too big a club for us to compete with.

I don't see that they are similar in style either.

Are we the only English club to have been linked with him? Or has there been reported interest from Spurs too? He certainly has something about him and i wouldn't want him to end up at another English club, especially Spurs. He will develop more too.

I'm actually warming to Benteke, good blend of technique, intelligence and strength.

Would be the signing of the summer if we were to get him.

Yep he's only going to get better.

Rohit wrote:

Are we the only English club to have been linked with him? Or has there been reported interest from Spurs too? He certainly has something about him and i wouldn't want him to end up at another English club, especially Spurs. He will develop more too.

Spurs linked too I think.

Excellent header of the ball this guy. Much better than Giroud despite being smaller.

Gurgen wrote:

Excellent header of the ball this guy. Much better than Giroud despite being smaller.

Is he smaller? I've seen him listed at 6-4 or 6-3, just as I've seen Giroud listed as anywhere from 6-2 to 6-4. Benteke is just powerful. Would love him as long as we aren't paying more than 15 million.

Who are these Geoff Arsenals measuring the players.
My passport says 6'2" and that's it.
No 6.0s or 6.4s!

Clearly not over 5 ft 9. He's not much taller than Walcott in this pic:

There is absolutely no way we're getting him for cheap. Villa hold all the cards here since they have a long contract with him and they've sold Downing, Milner etc for big money after one good season before.

Iloveyouarsenewenger wrote:

There is absolutely no way we're getting him for cheap. Villa hold all the cards here since they have a long contract with him and they've sold Downing, Milner etc for big money after one good season before.

Hence why it wont happen. For us atleast.

Villa's financial situation is pretty sickly, I wouldn't say they hold all the cards.

I think, City has raised the expectations of mid-table clubs selling their best players within the league. They bought the likes of Lescott and Milner for huge prices. Liverpool and Manchester United did not help matters by purchasing Valencia, Jones, Downing, Henderson, Carroll, Allen for top bucks.

There is an expectation now that if young players or players in their prime are being wanted by big clubs from within the league they will get 15-20 million at the very least depending on the reputation of the player.

Villa might be in dire financial condition but they are not in the Portsmouth or Leeds situation now and don't need to have fire sales. They will not sell their biggest asset and the player that was key in keeping their Premier League status for a price that they simply can not refuse.

Iloveyouarsenewenger wrote:

Villa might be in dire financial condition but they are not in the Portsmouth or Leeds situation now and don't need to have fire sales. They will not sell their biggest asset and the player that was key in keeping their Premier League status for a price that they simply can not refuse.

Agree with this, can't see us getting him on the cheap, would be a minimum of 15m.

I'd say that's pretty cheap all things considered.