Peterborough United Director of Football Barry Fry has revealed that the Posh are interested in Grimsby Town defender Ryan Bennett and have had an offer rejected.
With Posh boss Darren Ferguson earmarking players to improve his promotion winning squad, the 2008 Apprentice of the Year winner is the most recent addition to his transfer wish list after the club recently recruited Stockport County’s ASE graduate Tommy Rowe.
The 19 year old defender was installed as Club captain this season by Grimsby Town boss Mike Newell and has attracted admirers from Clubs in the higher echelons of the football pyramid.
Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, Fry said;
“Grimsby have got an option on the boy and said ‘thanks for the interest but we wouldn’t sell him for £1m’. Ryan fits our bill as a young hungry talent. Grimsby feel the same way and want to keep their best players.”
Peterborough’s Barry Fry is keen to add to his central defensive options with Chris Westwood, Kieran Charnock and Shane Blackett all being told they are surplus to requirements at London Road.
Fry admits that Bennett, who was named Grimsby’s Fans’ Player of the Season and has an England Under-18 cap, may be in the middle of a tug-of-war between football agents.
“I’ve had three different agents talking about Ryan. I don’t know who he’s represented by or whether he’s got one agent, or two, or three, or none,” Fry said.
“You find at this stage of the season there are many agents calling Clubs up and if you seem interested then that agent will ring Ryan and say ‘if you come and join me I can get you a Club and all that’.”
Bennett has made over 100 appearances for Grimsby, including 76 league starts.
Meanwhile Mariners boss Mike Newell has handed first pro contracts to youth-team players Leigh Overton, Ed Eley and Jamie Steel.
