Villa will block Reds move for Bent

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has tried to quash rumours that Liverpool are interested in Darren Bent by saying that nobody could afford him.

Bent signed from Sunderland in a club record £18million deal last year but is reportedly unsettled at Villa Park which could allow Liverpool prize the striker away to bolster their own attack with Luis Suarez set to be banned for eight games and Andy Carroll yet to find top form.

However McLeish said: "I'm not willing to sell anybody at the moment but you don't know what will happen.

"We have had one or two phonecalls about a couple of players. I wouldn't be tempted to lose any of the strikers - strikers make the difference in this league."

It is reported that Kenny Dalglish is prepared to pay £24million for the England international and will test Villa's resolve in the coming weeks when he submits a bid.

One player that Liverpool are not interested in, despite reports this week is Bolton's Gary Cahill.

Chelsea have agreed a fee, believed to be in the region of £7million, for the defender but some reports claimed that Liverpool were planning on hijacking the deal with a better offer.

Andre Villas Boas last week warned Cahill not to price him self out of the deal with his personal demands but Bolton boss Owen Coyle has denied that Cahill will be heading to Anfield.

Coyle said: "This story is without a shred of foundation. To just reel words off is in poor taste. Nothing surprises you in football but people should have more knowledge of the background for anything before they write it.

"It is irresponsible. Nothing has happened, there is nothing concrete, there is nothing to report."

Source: Sunderland Echo

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