ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: TOTTENHAM BEGAN life without Robbie Keane yesterday by reopening talks with Blackburn over the proposed sale of David Bentley, with Rovers holding out for €21.5 million for their England winger.
Spurs and Aston Villa have had bids of around €19 million rejected by Blackburn, who are resigned to losing the 23-year-old after he reaffirmed his desire to leave to the new manager, Paul Ince, this month. But Tottenham, their finances improved by an initial €24 million following the sale of Keane to Liverpool, renewed their pursuit yesterday and are confident a deal for the former Arsenal trainee is imminent.
Blackburn's chairman, John Williams, confirmed he was in talks with Spurs officials yesterday but his club have yet to receive a bid that matches their full asking price. The two parties are not poles apart in their valuations, however, and a deal that rises to €21.5 million should end Juande Ramos' pursuit of Bentley who, despite insisting he wants to leave for Champions League football, has not been pursued by any of the so-called elite four.
Bentley's purchase would raise further questions about Aaron Lennon's future at White Hart Lane, although the England international has said he wants to stay, while Ince is expected to fill the void by moving for Liverpool's winger Jermaine Pennant. Pennant is among those Rafael Benitez is willing to off-load this summer to raise funds for Aston Villa's captain Gareth Barry, along with Andriy Voronin.
Tottenham's pursuit of Bentley, coupled with the sale of Keane and the anticipated departure of Dimitar Berbatov, still leaves Ramos short of options up front, with the Russian pair, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Andrei Arshavin, plus Real Zaragoza's Diego Milito under consideration.
Darren Bent could also be on his way out, provided replacements are installed and Spurs receive a bid that allows them to recoup the €20.9 million they spent on the former Charlton forward. But the 24-year-old has claimed he may still have a future under Ramos.
Hull have signed defender Anthony Gardner on loan from Tottenham. The 27-year-old joined Tottenham from Port Vale in 2000 and has made 144 senior appearances. Gardner had hoped a move to Everton in January last season would revive his fortunes, after falling down the order at Tottenham. However, he could not force his way into the Everton first team and left Goodison Park without making an appearance.
Guardian Service
