Villa manager Martin O’Neill has given up his pursuit of Blackburn’s David Bentley.
Speaking ahead of today’s Intertoto Cup clash with Odense BK, O’Neill admitted to last month’s £10m bid for the England star but he revealed Villa will not be returning with a second offer.
The likelihood of Bentley arriving at Villa Park had always been slim with Tottenham, who had a smaller offer rejected on Thursday, the 23-year-old’s preferred destination.
O’Neill said: “I wouldn’t normally respond to individual links but as (Blackburn boss) Paul Ince rightly said, we did make a bid for David Bentley.
“That was some time ago and Blackburn rejected the bid, as is their prerogative. We do not intend revisiting that and we have switched to other transfer targets.”
The Villa boss may revive his interest in Newcastle’s James Milner, attempt to rival Portsmouth for Chelsea’s Shaun Wright-Phillips, who would both cost considerably less than the £17m Rovers are demanding for Bentley, or go for Tottenham’s Steed Malbranque. Middlesbrough have closed the door on a move for Stewart Downing.
O’Neill also revealed Gareth Barry’s heart remains set on a move to Liverpool, although the Reds are still to return with a fifth offer.
He said: “I’ve spoken to him this week and he reiterated a desire to join Liverpool. So the situation remains unchanged, we’re waiting to hear back from Liverpool.”
Meanwhile, Gabby Agbonlahor has revealed he is still waiting for a new contract to be put before him - but sees “no reason” why he wouldn’t want to extend his stay.
The striker still has two years remaining on his current deal but O’Neill has made no secret of his desire to tie him down for longer.
Asked if there was any movement on a new one, Agbonlahor replied: “No, not really. At the moment I am just concentrating on my football and if it comes along, it comes along.
“We have important games coming up so they are what’s on my mind. I’m enjoying my football here so I’ve got no reason not to want to extend my contract.”
“The gaffer here has given me my chance and I’m looking forward to playing and producing good displays again this season.”
2 Comments
It would take a lot more than the transfer fee to take Bentley from Blackburn to Villa, his wish to play for Spurs could be overcome easily if we met his wage demands and Spurs dont. Money talks in any language and Bentley like so many others would take the crock of gold, unfortunately if you want to compete with the so called top four, high transfer fees and astronomical wage demands are a fact of life.
This is why Villa will never threaten to be a force, 10 million is such a pathetic bid for Bentley, the guy is worth 15-20 million. And what about SWP? That guy is just screaming for a ’so called’ big club who’s making progress to splash to cash on him.