Aalborg Boldspilklub striker Nicklas Helenius has publicised his desire to leave the Danish Superliga side this summer amid reported interest from Aston Villa, Sky Sports understands.
Helenius, who was named Superligaen Player of the Year last season, scored 16 goals in 33 league matches for AaB in 2012/13.
The Denmark international, 22, hopes AaB allow him to exit Nordjyske Arena when the transfer window reopens in July.
“I hope that AaB will show enough cooperation and not demand too much money for me,” Helenius told Nordjyske.
“The market is not ready for big transfers at the moment.
“I have already secured the club a lot of money through my goals, and I am on my first professional contract. So I am not making an awful lot of money.”
According to reports, AaB and Aston Villa have already agreed a transfer fee for Helenius. However, this has not been confirmed by either club or Helenius’ agent.
The capture of Helenius may be the Villans’ way of taking out an insurance policy for Christian Benteke, who is attracting interest from a number of top European clubs, including the likes of Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Fiorentina and Tottenham Hotspur.
Benteke will open talks with the club regarding his future sometime this week, with Villa reportedly willing to double the Belgium international’s weekly wages from £20,000-a-week to £40,000-a-week.
With that said, the club could be put to the test if one of the five aforementioned interested clubs submits a bid in excess of £25 million for the 22-year-old ace.
Grenier set for Lyon talks
Olympique Lyonnais attacking midfielder Clement Grenier will meet with the club’s hierarchy after returning from holiday to determine his long-term future at the Stade de Gerland, ESPN reports.
On Tuesday, L’Equipe reported that Grenier would stay at Lyon without extending his current deal this summer.
However, the France international — whose current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2014 — has yet to decide his future, according to his agent Frederic Guerra.
A bevy of clubs, including Arsenal, are chasing the 22-year-old’s signature.
“There are a lot of questions surrounding Clement’s case,” said Guerra.
“To choose is to give up. Clement has told Jean-Michel Aulas and Remi Garde a number of things, and is waiting for answers. We’re supposed to meet each other when he gets back from holiday.
“Things are going the way that Clement is perhaps going to stay, but the reverse is possible too. There’s nothing definite, there are still meetings to be held. A career choice is not something to be left to chance.
“Are you really going to earn a year in your career by leaving straightaway? It’s really a major headache.”
Grenier bagged eight goals and seven assists in 28 Ligue 1 matches for Les Gones last season.
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