Town boss Joe Royle says that Leicester have told him that they are keen to keep Marcus Bent at the Walkers Stadium despite their relegation to Division One. At the weekend TWTD reported that Scottish giants Rangers are interested in Bent, while their Glasgow rivals Celtic are also being linked.

Royle says that as yet neither Scottish side has been in touch but that Leicester have made their intentions clear: "We have not heard from either Celtic or Rangers but Leicester City have contacted us to say they want to keep Marcus for next season.”

Town might be keen to hold on to Bent should they win promotion to the Premiership but if they remained in Division One Bent's hefty wage bill of around £18,000 a week would be an unwanted addition to the club's outgoings.

Whether the Blues would gain a fee for the 25-year-old front man would depend on which division they are in for 2004/05, how many clubs show serious interest and whether anyone comes in for the other higher earners like Pablo Couñago and Martijn Reuser.

Royle says the Blues won't be in a position to make any decisions on Bent until after their season is over: "It is too early for us to be making those sort of plans but certainly should we be promoted we would be in a better position to afford his salary.”

Bent has one year left on his Town contract but is understood to want to remain at Leicester, although a move to either Scottish club and a chance to get back to playing European football is likely to appeal.

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