Paul Ince wants to get what he can for his midfield charge, who seems determined to leave Blackburn Rovers, but will Rafa pay that much?!
Blackburn will sell unhappy England star David Bentley – but Tottenham, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Everton have all been told that the price is a staggering £17million.
Hard-bargaining chairman John Williams will hold out for the stunning fee as the auction starts in earnest for the wide man who wants out of the Lancashire club.
Rovers have turned down a players-plus-cash offer from Spurs for Bentley, with new boss Paul Ince reluctant to take Aaron Lennon or Pascal Chimbonda in part-exchange.
Blackburn would rather have cash to spend on the men they want – and Spurs are trying to find ways of selling Lennon, Chimbonda, Darren Bent and Steed Malbranque to raise the funds. (Daily Mirror)
It was rumoured that a prerequisite for the move for Gareth Barry was that Liverpool would not put a bid in for David Bentley, so that Aston Villa could have more of a chance to snare the former Arsenal man. It seems unlikely that Rafa will sign both England internationals, and clearly Barry is the player that Benitez really wants. Should Rafa up his Bentley bid or just give up on the Rovers man?