The agent of Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke has confirmed the Belgium international is attracting interest from UEFA Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund, according to ESPN FC.
Benteke, 22, is rumoured to be a potential replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who is reportedly a summer transfer target for Bayern Munich and Manchester United, at Signal Iduna Park.
Dortmund have also been linked with a summer move for Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.
According to Benteke’s agent Eris Kismet, Dortmund director of sport Michael Zorc was in attendance at Villa Park for last Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.
The Belgium international scored the opening goal of the game before being sent-off for accumulating two yellow cards, meaning that he is banned for the Villans’ final English Premier League fixture of the season against FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic.
“I am aware of the Dortmund representation at Villa Park for the Chelsea match, but Christian is still a Villa player and nothing has changed on that point,” said Kismet. “There were a lot of scouts from many teams who have an interest in Christian. Now Aston Villa’s future in the Premier League is decided we will know more.
“It is natural for many teams to show an interest when Christian has had such a good season and scored many goals, but it is his first season in the Premier League.”
Benteke, who joined Villa from Jupiler Pro League side K.R.C. Genk in a £7 million deal in the summer of 2012, has bagged 23 goals and eight assists in 39 appearances across all competitions for Aston Villa this season.
The former K.R.C. Genk striker has been the subject of reported interest from North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in recent weeks.
In other news, Dortmund have entered and are currently leading the race for Chelsea midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, who is currently on loan at Werder Bremen, ESPN FC understands.
The future of the 21-year-old Belgium international remains uncertain despite the player’s desire to seal a summer move to Signal Iduna Park.
De Bruyne could either return to Chelsea next season, move to UCL qualifiers Leverkusen — on loan or on a permanent transfer — in a swap deal for Andre Schurrle or join Bundesliga runners-up Borussia Dortmund.
“We will talk to Chelsea first. Kevin will play for either Dortmund, Leverkusen or Chelsea next season,” De Bruyne’s agent Patrick de Koster told Bremen-based newspaper Weser Kurier.
BVB are also eyeing potential replacements for Mario Gotze, with AFC Ajax Amsterdam ace Christian Eriksen and Atletico Mineiro sensation Bernard on the club’s transfer shortlist.
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