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Blackburn Rovers change stance over Bentley
1:30pm Monday 21st July 2008
By Andy Neild »
DAVID Bentley could have played his last game for Blackburn Rovers after chairman John Williams last night hinted Paul Ince might be prepared to sell the England star at the right price.
So far this summer, Rovers have rejected two bids for the wantaway midfielder from Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.
However, Williams has given a clear indication that the club's stance might change if they receive an offer ‘in line with current market values’, although the final decision will still ultimately rest with Ince.
Until now, Rovers have been adamant Bentley is going nowhere, despite the 23-year-old's insistence that he needs a move elsewhere to further his career.
But it would seem the club are now prepared to consider the possibility of letting Bentley leave - but only on their terms.
Williams told the Lancashire Telegraph: “Contrary to speculation in the media, we have not FROM BACK PAGE put a price on David's head because we don't work like that.
“The situation is we have had two bids for David, both of which have been rejected.
“However, if we got a bid that was in line with current market values, then we will refer it to Paul Ince and it becomes a football decision after that.
“As I've said all along, we are under no financial pressure to sell, because David is only one year into a four-year contract.”
It has been reported in various newspapers that Rovers have slapped a £17 million price-tag on Bentley - a claim strenuously denied by Williams.
However, the club are thought to value the midfielder in the same bracket as Gareth Barry, who has been told he will only leave Aston Villa if they receive an offer in excess of £18 million.
Bentley, who is currently in Germany with the rest of the first team squad, has yet to appear for Rovers in pre-season, having pulled out of last week's friendly with Macclesfield after picking up a calf injury.
He was due to appear in tonight's friendly with Hoffenheim in Austria, but withdrew last night with a hamstring injury, and the club are now considering whether to send him back to Brockhall for treatment, rather than take him to Portugal for the next leg of their pre-season tour later this week.
“David has picked up a hamstring injury so he may return early,” added Williams.
How much is David Bentley worth? Add your comments below.
Your Say YourTelegraph
msrx6mas, Landan says...
2:02pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Any of U see the 50% sell-on clause we put on Joe Garner too - he might be off to Forest for £1.2M. Lets hope Rovers didn't get the 50% clause idea from Arsenal on Bentley!
Jason, Accrington says...
2:05pm Mon 21 Jul 08
batesempire, darwen says...
2:23pm Mon 21 Jul 08
ossy rover, oswaldtwistle says...
2:32pm Mon 21 Jul 08
keep the faith
Finger Bang, Blackburn says...
2:46pm Mon 21 Jul 08
ossy rover, oswaldtwistle says...
2:53pm Mon 21 Jul 08
keep the faith
ripleywonder, Chester says...
3:08pm Mon 21 Jul 08
do you really think rovers would be so moronic to sign an agreement with a 50% sell on fee.
i personally think bentley is in a bad place and will be embarrassed.
a) man utd - better than ronaldo/nani?no. not good enough for them
b) chelsea - better than joe cole/michael essien?no.not good enough for them
c) arsenal - better than walcott/rosicky/diab
y?no. not good enough for them
d) liverpool - better than dirk kuyt.YES! but they dont have the cash
and then come those mighty european footballing titans aston villa and tottenham 'i want to play champions league football'....well played david.....i dont think he envisaged playing football with steve sidwell and anthony gardener!
cretin bentley - egg on your face!
up the rovers
ossy rover, oswaldtwistle says...
3:29pm Mon 21 Jul 08
keep the faith
Jim Wilkinson, Penwortham says...
3:35pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Are all players who sign for us disloyal, money-grabbing b*****ds?
No, they are professional footballers looking to play at a higher level.
The same supporters who have been chanting "Bentley For England" for 2 years are now complaining because an intelligent young lad realises that his chances of regular international football would rise if he was with a higher profile club
The people criticising Friedel are beyond belief.
It's quite obvious that Friedel has had it indicated to him by the new regime that his tenure on the shirt isn't as solid as it was under Hughes.
I personally think Ince is making a mistake.
So the scenario -and you'll have to trust a little of insider knowledge here - the player tells his agent things have changed, agent alerts likely suitors, rival clubs are hardly able to believe that Rovers are prepared to let the Premiership's best keeper over the last 6 years go and queue up to offer him lucrative terms. That's Friedel's fault? Please!
The people posting abuse about a bloke who has been loyal and professional and has had nothing but positive things to say about Blackburn Rovers are imbecilic
I would never really criticise a player for moving if he went about it for the right reasons and didn't bad-mouth us or rock the boat
RishtonSteve, Rishton says...
3:44pm Mon 21 Jul 08
ripleywonder, Chester says...
3:44pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Jim Wilkinson wrote:Jim....
Why must people become abusive about players who want to leave?Are all players who sign for us disloyal, money-grabbing b*****ds?No, they are professional footballers looking to play at a higher level.The same supporters who have been chanting "Bentley For England" for 2 years are now complaining because an intelligent young lad realises that his chances of regular international football would rise if he was with a higher profile clubThe people criticising Friedel are beyond belief.It's quite obvious that Friedel has had it indicated to him by the new regime that his tenure on the shirt isn't as solid as it was under Hughes.I personally think Ince is making a mistake.So the scenario -and you'll have to trust a little of insider knowledge here - the player tells his agent things have changed, agent alerts likely suitors, rival clubs are hardly able to believe that Rovers are prepared to let the Premiership's best keeper over the last 6 years go and queue up to offer him lucrative terms. That's Friedel's fault? Please!The people posting abuse about a bloke who has been loyal and professional and has had nothing but positive things to say about Blackburn Rovers are imbecilicI would never really criticise a player for moving if he went about it for the right reasons and didn't bad-mouth us or rock the boat
Give me a break? Oh come on – buck up your ideas.
I have no qualms with a player wanting to test themselves and play at the very highest level. But in Bentleys case he has been an utter disgrace.
As a footballer – I think he is a very good player. I still have questions whether he is a champions league player – but appreciate his ambition.
HOWEVER…I like everyone else who seems annoyed by this little man, is the way he has been so outspoken and utterly disrespectful to Blackburn rovers.
We have made him as a player and to sign a new long term 4year deal last summer, and now one summer on – come out and give numerous outspoken interviews about moving on is woeful.
What is worse is – that when Bentley ‘exclusively’ spoke to sky sports – he was in his white lines on a beach, living the playboy lifestyle – makes me sick. Now I don’t applaud booing players or think it should be done, but if he does play for us again I expect a ‘muted’ response.
In terms of Friedel – it’s a real sad state of affairs for those who are publicly slagging him off.
Brad has been exceptional for rovers – and I genuinely think his head has been turned by randy learners America connections – getting brads footballing academy up and running.
So come on lets drive a hard bargain at Bentley and acknowledge the legend that is mr friedel and understand his motives for wanting to leave!
msrx6mas, Landan says...
4:33pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Bill Carson, Mill Hill says...
4:35pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Trev Manchester, Manchester says...
4:51pm Mon 21 Jul 08
ewoodpark, blackburn says...
5:24pm Mon 21 Jul 08
RishtonSteve, Rishton says...
6:23pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Market Trader, Darwen says...
6:33pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Is it true that Mr. Friedel has forthcoming business commitments in the USA and the person with all the contacts is Mr. Randy Lerner the chairman of Aston Villa?
If it is true, it sounds a good enough reason for Mr. Friedel to find employment in the Midlands.
As for Mr. Bentley. Good luck to him. I’d follow Mr. Lerner’s billions too.
ewoodpark, blackburn says...
9:03pm Mon 21 Jul 08
ewoodpark, blackburn says...
9:05pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Morst the 88th min Heartbreaker, Accrington says...
7:19am Tue 22 Jul 08
ossy rover wrote:It was Jim Wilkinson - not sure where he got it from. Jim?????
were are these 50% sell on clause figures coming from?
keep the faith
Morst the 88th min Heartbreaker, Accrington says...
7:22am Tue 22 Jul 08
gosportdunc, gosport says...
8:01pm Tue 22 Jul 08
s and the rest of the fringe players arnt up to the task and the likes of gallagher derbyshire,peters,tr
eacy havent improved to the level required for a top 6 team. So cash in now while the likes of stoke hull and sunderland are spending millions on very adverage player to say the least.The players he is meant to be getting look a lot better and should walk in to the team.I also think you will see a new McCarthy this season alongside santa. The likes of dunn nelson samba gamst,reid, will have their cards marked to ,This season to start in the 11 you will have to raise the bar .I for one am glad to see a new manager as it give everybody a kick up the arse.And hughes had to many favs in the team that played everyweek wether they were up to it or not .. GIVE INCE A CHANCE...
Robbie, Manchester says...
1:36pm Wed 23 Jul 08
if we had made it into europe would he have been asking to leave. no i dont think so.
the reason we did not get in europe cus the players under achived. and in some games bentley was guilty of this. (not many games be there was a few)
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kevin e, portugal says...
1:57pm Mon 21 Jul 08