Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood plans Christian Benteke contract talks

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood has revealed that he plans to hold contract talks with striker Christian Benteke.

The Belgian international has been heavily linked with moves to Liverpool and Arsenal recently, with the Gunners said to be preparing a bid.

Sherwood has said that the Midlands outfit are prepared to offer Benteke a lucrative new deal.

"I will have a chat with him," the Villa boss told The Express. "I have told him already that I want him to stay at the club. I want him to have a good season and score at the same ratio as he did when I came in here.

"I'm not sure what his plans are. He didn't tell me either way. We just tried to get this game out the way.

"It is right to talk to him about the speculation and we need to be put it to bed. He needs to sign a new contract. We need to offer him a new contract, which the club are prepared to do, and he needs to sign it. When he does, we know he's not going anywhere."

Benteke has two years remaining on his current contract at Villa, which includes a £32.5m buy-out clause.