Courtois keen on Benteke joining him at Atletico

04 June 2013 10:49

Thibaut Courtois believes Belgium team-mate Christian Benteke could be just the man Atletico Madrid need to fill the sizeable gap left by Radamel Falcao's big-money move to Monaco.

Atletico snapped up Rayo Vallecano striker Leo Baptistao on Monday as they seek to replace the prolific Falcao and have also been linked with a number of other forwards. One of these is Benteke, who won himself a long list of admirers with his performances for Aston Villa last season.

"He's a very strong centre-forward, tall, but with very good technique and skilful with the ball at his feet," said Courtois, who has spent the last two seasons on loan at Atletico from Chelsea. "I think that he could be a great signing for Atletico. During these days with the national team and I'm going to ask him about his future."

Courtois added of the former Genk forward in quotes reported by the Spanish press: "I know him well, we played together when we were young. Benteke is a player who has worked hard, he left Genk and had several loans spells that has helped him grow.

"He had a sensational 2011/12 season with Genk and that led to the attention from the Premier League."

Source: PA