Spurs offer Aaron Lennon plus £8m for David Bentley

Spurs will offer Aaron Lennon in a £15million player-plus-cash deal for England star David Bentley.

Sputs chairman Daniel Levy and sporting director Damien Comolli have sounded out Blackburn - and they are now hot favourites to land 23-year-old Bentley.

The London club believe Lennon plus £8m could tempt Blackburn into selling now.

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has had a £15m bid for Bentley rejected. But Rovers' new boss Paul Ince is already resigned to losing the player.

Ince was a master motivator launching his managerial career at Macclesfield and MK Dons - but he cannot get Bentley to change his mind.

Manchester City are also in the frame, but Spurs lead the chase and can offer European football which Bentley hopes will strengthen his England claims. Lennon, 21, has won nine England caps and was once regarded as one of the country's top prospects.

Levy has been reluctant to sell young home-grown talent, but Blackburn have been asked about the swop.

Former Leeds winger Lennon is rated by Spurs boss Juande Ramos, but they may be willing to sacrifice him.

Spurs have been reluctant to match Blackburn's asking price but Comolli is hoping a player-plus-cash deal will be accepted. Spurs are also close to doing a £6m deal for PSV Eindhoven's giant Brazilian keeper Heurelho Gomes.

Ramos is also interested in Sevilla pair, winger Diego Capel and Brazilian midfielder Adriano - who is a target for Inter Milan.

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