Big Bucks Required For Pennant.

Steve Bruce has reiterated that Jermaine Pennant will not be sold on the cheap.

Liverpool have already had a £3.5 million offer rejected, and as Blues have to pay 25% of any transfer to Arsenal, they will certainly be looking to hike the price up to make a profit.

'We had an offer from Liverpool which is well known which we rejected and until they meet our valuation they will get the same answer.

'There's only been one bid, that's all, three weeks ago. It was around £3.5 million and we paid £3 million for him plus we owe Arsenal 25 per cent of any sell-on. So we won't sell him for £3.5 million - that's for sure.

'Now it's a question of how far Liverpool are prepared to go in meeting our valuation. If they don't then they will move on I suppose.'

Bruce is in no rush to sell Pennant and figures he will be an important member of the squad as we push for automatic promotion at the first attempt. Following player releases and the sale of Heskey, he also certainly doesn't need to sell to buy.

If Liverpool are serious then they need to start looking at £7/8 million as an bid to negotiate from.

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