Liverpool join Bentley race

Liverpool and Everton are battling it out with Aston Villa for the signature of Tottenham winger David Bentley according to reports.

The People believes Villa and Everton are in pole position but other media sources claim Liverpool have a trick up their sleeves.

Harry Redknapp is willing to cash in on the winger but is keen to re-coup the £15 million they paid Blackburn for him.

Unless Fernando Torres was offloaded, Liverpool are unlikely to be able to afford the asking price so Rafael Benitez may use Yossi Benayoun as a makeweight in the deal.

Benayoun seems to be on his way out of Anfield, with Chelsea linked to his signature as a replacement for Spurs-bound Joe Cole. If Cole decides to stay at Stamford Bridge, Benayoun would therefore be an obvious alternative for Redknapp.

Villa are on the lookout for a replacement for James Milner, should he decide to jump ship to Manchester City and Bentley would fit Martin O'Neill's English player transfer policy.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.