Morecambe boss Bentley: Redshaw won’t be the only player linked with a move away

Jim Bentley wouldn’t be surprised if other Morecambe players were linked with moves away from the Globe Arena this summer after the latest bid for Jack Redshaw.
Jim Bentley gets stuck into pre-season training and keeps an eye on wanted man Jack Redshaw. Picture: Matt RushtonJim Bentley gets stuck into pre-season training and keeps an eye on wanted man Jack Redshaw. Picture: Matt Rushton
Jim Bentley gets stuck into pre-season training and keeps an eye on wanted man Jack Redshaw. Picture: Matt Rushton

The Shrimps turned down an offer from League 1 Blackpool for their star man as interest in the striker hots up ahead of the new season.

A fee couldn’t be agreed between the Seasiders and the Shrimps after talks between Pool chairman Karl Oyston and Morecambe chief Peter McGuigan and it remains unclear whether the side relegated from the Championship at the end of last season will return with an improved offer for the highly-rated 24-year-old.

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The developments are no surprise to Bentley who believes The Shrimps have more a £1 million worth of talent in their ranks.

He said: “What we said when we took over four years ago was that we wanted to build a bit of a football factory.

“We wanted to improve the training facilities, wanted a better working environment and wanted to develop our players.

“We have looked at bringing in players from non-league or those who have been released from clubs higher up.

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“What we’ve got looking at them now, we must have over a million pounds worth of talent.

“Jack’s at that head of that because he’s attracted a lot of attention in the last couple of seasons but we’ve got players more than capable at good ages and it wouldn’t surprise me if we had other players being linked with moves away to bigger clubs in the future.”

Bentley has spoken to new Pool boss Neil McDonald about their interest in Redshaw and knows the move could be an attractive one for the former Manchester City youngster.

The Shrimps manager, who brought the diminutive front man to the club from Altrincham in January 2012, insists the deal has to be right for all parties though.

Bentley said: “It’s got to be right for everyone.

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People have come in for Jack in the past and I’ve said you’ve got to look if it’s the right move for you.

“With regards to this deal the location’s great for him, they have been a Premiership club recently and are a big club.

“It’s a move up in level but the first port of call is the two clubs talking and making sure the deal is right not just for Jack Redshaw but for the clubs.”

Redshaw, who has one year remaining on his current contract, returned to pre-season training with the rest of the Shrimps squad on July 1 and Bentley believes his hot property is fully focused on getting ready for the new season having been more affected by a near-move to Peterborough last August.

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The Shrimps boss said: “He’s in decent nick, he’s his usual bubbly self.

“I’ve had a little chat with him and I think his mind’s fully focused on the job ahead for Morecambe FC.

“He’s grown up a lot while he’s been at the club, certainly in the past 12 months.

“The Peterborough thing was a big learning curve for him.

“At the time he was just about to have his second kid and there were other things going on that might have affected him.

“But he has grown up. Any interest in you gives you a boost but there’s no sign of him being unsettled or anything and we’ll bat on until that changes.”