Tottenham Transfer Rumours: How Christian Benteke Deal Would Impact Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur's 2012/13 season was held back by the club's lack of striking options.

As a summer of various transfer sagas continues, Metro reports Andre Villas-Boas is interested in bidding for unsettled Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke. BBC Sport confirms the Belgian powerhouse has handed in a transfer request, but any movement is likely to cost Benteke's new suitors around £25 million.

Spurs should absolutely compete for the starlet's signature. Villas-Boas nearly returned the North London club to the Champions League's Promised Land last season, but the squad's lack of firepower saw neighbours Arsenal pip them to the post once more.

Since beating the Gunners on March 3, Spurs managed just five wins from 10 games. Gareth Bale continued to rescue his team with last-minute winners and vital strikes, scoring in five of these games. The Welshman's individual goals won the White Hart Lane faithful 13 of 18 points accumulated since triumphing over Arsene Wenger's men, an occurrence that confirms new investment must be made up front.

Christian Benteke is an ambitious player. His debut Premier League season saw him rack up 19 goals and four assists for Paul Lambert's young side, as recorded by Whoscored.com. Much like Bale, he has a natural tendency to carry his team through difficult situations, often providing immense quality in a side that suffers inconsistent form.

As OptaJoe's tweet confirms, Benteke quickly established himself as one of the Premier League's most important players:

Benteke's most impressive attributes would be amplified even further if he played alongside Bale. The 22-year-old avidly competes in the air and would positively impact Spurs' lack of attacking ferocity. He challenged for more aerial balls than any other player last season and could spearhead an attack which continued to fizzle out across the past year.

If Benteke was to take up central positions for Spurs, the crossing ability of players such as Bale and Aaron Lennon would provide ample opportunity for the player's prolific goalscoring record to continue.

Although entirely capable, Emmanuel Adebayor's recent slump has revealed the Togo international as lazy and lacking urgency in a side that must expend great energy to play well. The former Arsenal man scored just five Premier League goals last season and, combined with an inconsistent Jermain Defoe, failed to fire Spurs towards the top tier of European football.

When Defoe suffered injury throughout April, Villas-Boas had nowhere else to turn. Spurs fans were forced to watch as Arsenal gained ground and eventually overtook them. Such events continue to hurt the club's followers. It underlines the importance of investment as, right now, Spurs' squad ranks with the best in the domestic division. Even so, a 6'2" piece is missing from this particular puzzle.

Benteke must continue to prove himself at the top level as the 2014 World Cup approaches. The stylish finisher possesses decent pace, smart dribbling ability and physical hold-up play that would help Spurs bring other important players into each match, traits that are sure to attract Belgium manager Marc Wilmots. Beyond Bale, this acquisition would help Villas-Boas' men spread the workload and add a fear factor that extends further than the left wing.

It's also a real statement of intent.

If Daniel Levy is willing to drop £30 million on a developing striker, Premier League teams know the chairman means business. Spurs have continued to make huge strides over the last few seasons, and instead of selling their most requested asset, must sign Benteke to galvanise both players' skills even further.