Christian Benteke will be staying with Aston Villa next season after all.
The Belgian international forward withdrew his transfer request while also choosing to sign a new contract with Villa, and with it ending all speculation of his future with the club at least for this summer.
The news comes as a bit of surprise, with Villa, less than a couple of weeks ago, confirming Benteke had handed in a transfer request and they would entertain offers which matched their value of the player.
Tottenham were thought to be the frontrunners for the 22-year-old's signature, but in a turnaround of events Benteke has now decided to continue his career at Villa Park.
"I spoke with the manager (Paul Lambert) when I returned to training and we had a good talk," he told the club's official website. "I am very happy to be back here in Birmingham and at Aston Villa, and to sign a new contract.
"This is a great club and it has given me a lot. Now I have to give back to my teammates and the fans who have always been right behind me.
"The end of last season was very good and the lads were very strong. It was not easy but we came through it and the confidence is high. So everyone knows what we have to do now -- be better. I need to be better than last year."
Benteke returned to Villa this week and Lambert revealed a talk with the youngster helped in swaying the decision in the club's favor.
"I had a full and frank discussion with Christian Benteke on his return to training this week regarding his future," he said. "It is my opinion that the best thing for Christian is to remain at Aston Villa.
"He enjoyed a terrific first season at the club and can use that as a platform to hopefully enjoy more success this season.
"I'm delighted, having time to re-evaluate his future, Christian has decided to commit to the club. It's a huge bonus and I'm sure the supporters are every bit as delighted as me to have him on board and raring to go."
Meanwhile, Villa also announced defender Matt Lowton has signed a new four-year contract with the club.
"It is a very exciting time for the club," Lowton said.
"We went through some difficult periods last season but we finished strongly and had won a lot of people over by the end of the season.
"The fans were with us all the way though and they made themselves heard home and away, superbly well and that's something that really helps the team and is appreciated greatly by all the lads.
"Everyone could see what the gaffer was working towards and over the second half of the season it showed.
"With the new signings this season as well as some players signing new contracts, the likes of me and Ashley (Westwood), Andi (Weimann), Brad (Guzan), Ciaran (Clark) and Nathan (Baker), it shows the club is moving forward and it's really exciting to be a part of that."
