Jermaine Pennant has been linked with a move away from Anfield all summer, particularly to Blackburn, and now David Bentley has completed his move to Tottenham, reports suggest Paul Ince is keen to bring Pennant in as Bentley’s replacement on the right side of Rovers’ midfield.

Pennant was signed from Birmingham in 2006 for £6.7 million and if reports are to be believed, Liverpool should recoup most of that fee.

Liverpool’s own failure to enter the race for Bentley is seen by many supporters as further evidence Rafa Benitez will not be playing a regular 442 with wingers this season, but continuing to adopt the 4231 formation with width being encrouraged from attacking full backs such as new signings Philipp Degen and Andrea Dossena.

With Benitez still looking to raise funds in order to finance a move for either Gareth Barry - which, despite Villa’s stance yesterday, may not be over - or David Silva, Pennant is seen as one of those is available for the right price.

Earlier in the summer Pennant was linked with a move to Villa as part of the proposed Barry deal and was one of the players offered to the Midlands club in the part-exchange. Portsmouth have also been linked with a move if their bid for Shaun Wright-Phillips doesn’t come to fruition.