David Bentley

West Ham are in discussions with Tottenham over midfielder David Bentley , according to the Daily Mirror.

25 year-old Bentley has endured a difficult time at Tottenham since his 2008 move from Blackburn Rovers and has made only 4 appearances this season, although he did score in a rare appearance last night as Spurs beat Fulham 2-0 at White Hart Lane.

Nonetheless, Bentley does not appear to be in Harry Redknapp's long term plans and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has been unable to find a buyer willing to match his valuation of the midfielder.  Levy is intent on recouping the £15million paid for Bentley, but the likes of Aston Villa, Everton and Sunderland are unwilling to meet the price.

As a result, West Ham are interested in signing Bentley for the remainder of the season with the option of making the deal permanent in the summer.  The Daily Mirror reports that under the new ownership of David Sullivan and David Gold, West Ham would be able to meet Bentley's £50,000-a-week wages and they have even discussed the possibility of a £7million permanent move to Upton Park in the summer.