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Villa boss O'Neill abandons pursuit of Bentley

19/07/2008

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed he has abandoned plans to sign Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Bentley.

Bentley has been publicly vocal about his desire to leave Rovers this summer despite manager Paul Ince insisting he wanted to keep the player.

However, the player's protestations signalled to O'Neill that a bid would be worthwhile.

Ince revealed last week that Villa were the only side to make an official bid for the player, despite him being linked with Tottenham Hotspur all summer, and that the club had turned it down.

O'Neill's bid was rumoured to be about £9 million, while it is believed Rovers are holding out for closer to £17 million.

Having had their bid rejected O'Neill said Villa would not be making an improved offer for Bentley.

"I wouldn't normally respond to individual links, but as Paul Ince rightly said, we did make a bid for David Bentley," said O'Neill.

"That was some time ago and Blackburn rejected the bid - as is their prerogative."

The Villa boss said he would now look to bring in a different player.

He added: "We do not intend revisiting that and we have switched our attentions to other transfer targets."

O'Neill also gave an update about his own want-away midfielder Gareth Barry, explaining the player still wants to join the Reds but will not be allowed to do so until the Reds match Villa's asking price.