Spurs sure they are closing in on Bentley

Although Bentley is due to return to pre-season training with Blackburn today he has already told new manager Paul Ince he wants to leave.

Aston Villa have offered £15million for the England international but he is not interested and is sticking to his preference for a move back to London.

Standard Sport revealed three weeks ago Spurs were in pole position to sign the 23-year-old because he also grew up as a fan of the club and he is set to get his wish.

Head coach Juande Ramos is taking the squad on a pre-season training camp to Spain on Thursday and the club hope to complete the deal before then.

They now face little competition for his signature because Bentley has let it be known he wants to return to the capital and he is not a target for Chelsea or former club Arsenal.

Negotiations have been held up while Blackburn went about appointing Ince and he wanted to try to convince the player to stay.

Spurs are still not keen on paying £15m for Bentley and hope to negotiate a cheaper price.

Meanwhile, striker Darren Bent has told Ramos he wants to stay at White Hart Lane and fight for his place. Sunderland have given up on trying to sign the former Charlton centre-forward after refusing to meet Tottenham's £12m asking price.

Spurs are determined to ignore offers for Bent and Robbie Keane while their other striker Dimitar Berbatov's future remains unresolved and that would only change if the Bulgarian commits to the club.

Bent, who was signed for £16.5m last summer, scored only eight goals in his first season and is hoping Ramos will give him a second chance.

Ramos is considering allowing new signing Luka Modric to miss the club's training camp in Spain to give him time to settle in London.

Modric, who joined for £15.8m from Dynamo Zagreb, is due to arrive later this week having been given a few extra days off after Euro 2008. The club are discussing whether he would be better off training at Chigwell while he finds a house rather than travellinh with the rest of the first team.

MANCHESTER UNITED are "very interested" in signing Klaas Jan Huntelaar, claims the Ajax striker.

The 24-yearold's failure to agree a new contract has led to speculation he could be in line for a move.

"I know certain English clubs are following me, like Manchester United, who are very interested in me," he said. "I love clubs with great history like Ajax. I also love United. They are a club that makeme dream, especially as Ruud van Nistelrooy did great things with them."