TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR plan to unveil David Bentley as their new €21.5 million signing from Blackburn Rovers today but have been told to raise their offer for Andrei Arshavin before the Russian star can join Juande Ramos's overhaul at White Hart Lane.
England international Bentley is scheduled to attend a press conference at Spurs' Chigwell training ground today, having agreed personal terms on a return to London and undergone a medical yesterday. The 23-year-old will be Tottenham's first signing since the departure of Robbie Keane to Liverpool, their fourth major acquisition in total this summer, and he could well be joined by Zenit St Petersburg's Arshavin as Spurs' chairman, Daniel Levy, attempts to pacify supporters angered by the Irish captain's sale and address the deficiencies in Ramos's attack.
Arshavin, a brief but illuminating star at the recent European Championships, has held talks with the Tottenham hierarchy, the 27-year-old's agent confirmed yesterday, and is keen on a move to north London after Barcelona balked at Zenit's €30 million asking price and Arsenal failed to follow up their initial interest.
"I have already taken a final decision. It only remains to finalise it with the club management," revealed the Russian. Spurs, however, are currently poles apart from Zenit in their valuation of Arshavin, and are likely to have to increase their €24 million bid before last season's Uefa Cup winners finally consent to their prized asset's sale.
Arshavin's agent, Dennis Lachter, said yesterday: "At this point there is some talks with Tottenham, but nothing complete because of the high fee Zenit want for Andrei. The gap is huge between the two clubs as Zenit are looking for a lot of money for Andrei. Juande Ramos very much wants to sign Andrei and Daniel Levy is doing everything to make the deal, but it is difficult to agree a fee with Zenit."
While the Arshavin deal remains far from completion, Bentley should finally receive his wish to leave Ewood Park today after Spurs rekindled negotiations following the exit of Keane. Spurs and Aston Villa had €19 million bids rejected for the former Arsenal trainee before Levy returned with an improved offer rising to €21 million on Tuesday.
Tottenham's north London rivals Arsenal are expected to receive around €6 million as a percentage of the deal under the conditions of Bentley's permanent move to Rovers in January 2006.
Tottenham expect to include Bentley in the squad that travels to Rotterdam tomorrow to take part in the Feyenoord Jubileum tournament.
The winger informed the former Blackburn manager Mark Hughes, now at Manchester City, of his determination to leave Ewood at the end of last season and his conviction was unaltered by the appointment of Paul Ince as Hughes's successor.
The White Hart Lane club completed two further deals yesterday when it announced that midfielder Jermaine Jenas and defender Michael Dawson have both signed one-year contract extensions that will tie them to Tottenham until 2013.
Guardian Service
