Christian Benteke does not want to return to Aston Villa training on Thursday and is reportedly urging Tottenham Hotspur to rush through his potential switch to White Hart Lane.
The Belgian forward has not travelled to Germany for Villa's summer tour, but is scheduled to return to the West Midlands outfit for their pre-season preparations this week if his transfer away from the club is not finalised.
Spurs are the hot favourites to sign the 22-year-old, who netted 19 times in his debut Premier League season after arriving at Villa from Racing Genk in an £8m deal.
The Lillywhites are planning to open the bidding for Benteke at £20m, but Villa are likely to resist until their £25m valuation of the powerful striker is met.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is notorious for leaving his business until late in the window, but according to The Mirror, Benteke wants a fee to be agreed this week in order for him to avoid rejoining his teammates at Villa Park.
Joe Fish
