The People newspaper are reporting that Rafa is wanting to sign Blackburns highly rated David Bentley.

Bentley is a good player and could well play the role that Kuyt is currently playing in and if the deal includes Pennant going the other way then its another player off the wage bill that is not getting much of a look in at the moment.

Here’s The People story.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is confident of beating off competition from Atletico Madrid to land Blackburn’s David Bentley in a sensational £12million swoop.Bentley is desperate to join a side who regularly compete in Europe.

And the lure of playing in the Champions League could see him quit Ewood Park for Anfield.

The England star has a little more than two years remaining on his current Blackburn deal, but is stalling on a new contract at the club because of his desire to play on the big stage.

Rovers have offered the 23-year-old new terms of around £30,000 a week, but Liverpool could easily offer him double that.

The Kop offer is similar to the sums being talked about by Atletico, though it is understood Rovers boss Mark Hughes is reluctant to sell to another Premier League club.

But the blow of losing a player of Bentley’s stature to their north-west rivals could well be softened by the inclusion of Liverpool wide-boy Jermaine Pennant in any deal.

Money is far from the like-able Bentley’s main motivation and he knows that, if he is to push on and become David Beckham’s regular replacement in the England set-up, he has to be playing his club football at the highest level.

People Sport understands England boss Fabio Capello has already told him as much and Bentley will heed the Italian’s advice.

Manchester City and Valencia are among a host of other clubs interested, but their poor league positions have ruled them out.

Let me know your views on this potential transfer.