Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has dismissed speculation that he may be forced to part with Christian Benteke during the upcoming January transfer window.
The Belgian international has earned a number of plaudits for his performances since he joined the club from Genk in the summer for a fee in the region of £6m.
As a result, the 21-year-old has been linked with a switch to host of European clubs this winter.
However, Lambert has insisted that he has no intention of letting his striker leave Villa Park.
"I have to hold on to Benteke. He's going nowhere," Lambert told reporters. "He's 21 and he can be anything he wants. He's not the finished article yet, but he's been absolutely brilliant and might not peak until his late 20s.
"He's a big lad and a target man but there's a lot more to him than that. The way the guy is playing, he has been exceptional for us. He is not the finished player at all but he is playing fantastic."
Benteke has scored five goals in all competitions this season.
Liam Apicella
