Spurs close to Bentley deal
14 Jul 2008 - 08:47:41
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly on the verge of landing David Bentley in a £17million swap deal with Blackburn Rovers.
The unsettled England midfielder is set to join the north London club with out-of-favour Spurs keeper Paul Robinson heading in the opposite direction.
Both players have also been linked with moves to Aston Villa, but reports suggest the swap deal could be concluded on Monday.
Bentley's future at Ewood Park has been the subject of much speculation following his admission last month that he was keen to move on.
The former Arsenal youngster was also linked with Liverpool after suggesting he was keen to play Champions League football.
However, the possible arrival of Robinson has cast fresh doubt on the future of current Rovers number one Brad Friedel.
Over the weekend, Blackburn chairman John Williams revealed he had been made aware of interest in the veteran USA keeper from two clubs.
Former Rovers boss Mark Hughes is believed to be keen to lure the 37-year-old shot-stopper to new club Manchester City and the arrival of Robinson could result in the end of Friedel's eight-year spell at Ewood Park.
"There is some interest but (manager) Paul Ince's wish is to start the season with Brad Friedel," Williams had told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.