Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho considering move for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke Villa had offered Benteke a new contract last month, in a bid to double his current £20,000 a week salary, but the 22-year-old's surprise move has damaged the feel-good factor ­created by Paul Lambert's substantial squad revamp this summer. Chelsea would have to pay a hefty figure to sign him if they follow up their ­interest, however, as Benteke still has three years remaining on his ­contract. Villa manager Paul Lambert said: "While we're hugely disappointed that Christian has put in a transfer request, it's important that people appreciate we are trying to build something strong and vibrant here at the club, something this club demands and stands for, and we want Christian to be part of that." New signings André Schürrle and Marco van Ginkel were among those who took part, as well as the old guard of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Petr Cech. Mourinho, though, may have been most interested to watch Romelu Lukaku, the 20‑year‑old striker who has returned from a successful loan spell at West Bromwich Albion and is staking his claim for a first‑team place in the new season. With Didier Drogba leaving last year, Mourinho wants to add a similarly powerful forward to lead his attack and, as well as assessing Lukaku, Demba Ba and Fernando Torres, has been pursuing several targets, with Benteke now likely to be high on his wanted list. A £40 million bid was made for Napoli's Edinson Cavani but he is now edging towards a move to Paris St‑Germain, while Robert Lewandow­ski is intending to remain at Borussia Dortmund for one more season before joining Bayern Munich. An inquiry has also been made for Wayne Rooney but David Moyes, the new Manchester United manager, is adamant that he will not be sold. Benteke has the potential to fit Mourinho's preference for a powerful striker who could lead the line on his own and Chelsea are considering whether to push forward with a ­formal bid. Chelsea are also keen to add an understudy to Cech, although it is understood that a second offer for Norwich City's John Ruddy has been rejected.