Blackburn reject Tottenham's £9m bid for Bentley as Rovers want £17m

The cheeky opening offer, instantly rejected by Blackburn chairman John Williams, was even less than the £10m punt from Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill that was waved away at the start of the summer.

Incredibly, Tottenham also wanted to spread the payment of their bargain-basement fee for Bentley over four years.

Hot property: Blackburn David Bentley is wanted by Aston Villa and Spurs.

If Blackburn do get an offer they can't refuse for their unsettled prize asset, Ince will want the bulk of the Bentley cash straight away to reinforce his squad before the August 31 transfer deadline.

Blackburn chairman John Williams said: 'We've had bids from two clubs for David Bentley; one when Mark Hughes was manager, and the other very recently. They have both been rejected.'

Tottenham are still confident of doing business for Bentley, who favours a switch to London, and have England goalkeeper Paul Robinson up their sleeves as the outstanding candidate to succeed Brad Friedel.

Williams has admitted he was shocked when stalwart Freidel said he wanted to leave. The US veteran will double his £30,000-a-week wages on a three-year deal at Aston Villa, despite Manchester City's matching offer.

Ince offered him improved terms and Williams said: 'It was a bolt from the blue. He only signed his latest contract in February. We haven't earmarked any funds for a goalkeeper, and Brad Friedels don't grow on trees.'

Rovers rejected Newcastle's £2m bid for Stephen Warnock and ruled Panathinaikos target Andre Ooijer off limits.Tottenham Hotspur have had a £9m cash bid for Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Bentley rejected.