Southend United boss Phil Brown has told Echo News that he still believes the club can keep hold of in-demand goalkeeper Daniel Bentley. The shot-stopper is out of contract at this end of this season, and Queens Park Rangers are keen admirers.
Earlier this season the 22-year-old expressed his desire to move on at the end of this campaign and not sign a contract extension. However Brown, who himself recently rejected a move away from the club to move to Sunderland as assistant manager, believes it is worth trying to negotiate a new deal with Bentley at this moment in time,
“The only way we could maybe get him to sign is if we look like we’re promotion candidates this year.
The situation is a constant thought process in my head if I’m honest.
I don’t want it to drag on but we’re eight and had been in a rich vein of form before Tuesday so it’s probably the best time to try and get Daniel Bentley to sign.”
A bid of over £1million from QPR was rejected by the Essex club in August, with Chairman Ron Martin having the final say on the matter. Although the club would receive a fee from a tribunal as he is under the age of 24, Brown nevertheless expects him to move on eventually, but believes he may stay for a little while longer yet,
“I’m certainly not given up hope of him staying.
I watched Newcastle against Norwich on Sunday and Dan Bentley would’ve saved four of those goals in my opinion. He’s destined for great things and is certainly a prized asset for us.”
Southend will be hoping to get back to winning ways after losing at Chesterfield in midweek. However they travel to top of the table Gillingham this weekend, in what proves to be a tricky test for Brown’s men. Bentley certainly will need to show his worth, if Southend want to come away with a positive result.
