Roy McFarland has responded to the increasing transfer speculation by confirming that Trevor Benjamin is a wanted man but that none of the chasing clubs have yet met United's valuation of the 20-year-old striker.

Brentford's Teamtalk page yesterday reported that Benjamin's move to the Londoners looks likely to be completed in the New Year. This comes after Ron Noades' comments last week that he hoped his old club Palace knocked us out of the FA Cup so he could sign Benjamin on Saturday!

Teamtalk reported Bees coach Ray Lewington saying, "Some clubs have given us a straight no, and some have quoted ridiculous prices. Cambridge are the club who have shown they are willing to do business."

Earlier this week McFarland admitted that Gillingham - who have money to spend and want a striker after selling Bob Taylor to Manchester City - had made an offer for Benjamin but added that their offer fell well short of United's expectations:

"There is substance to Gillingham's inquiry for Trevor, but the fact is they've put in an offer that we're not happy with, and it's been rejected," he said. "Brentford were also inquiring about Benjamin at the weekend, and I also got a very strong telephone call from a Division One club about Martin Butler."

In addition he revealed that he has been asked to keep a Premiership side in touch with developments but as usual played down the situation regarding both players.

"All it is telling us, is that a number of clubs are interested in our players - which is nothing new - but it is an ongoing situation that we will continue to deal with until something definite happens," he told the Cambridge Evening News.

In Kent it seems to be an open secret that Gills manager Peter Taylor has made a £600,000 bid for a striker he describes as "exciting" but yesterday McFarland would only confirm that a bid had been rejected, not the amount: "They made a firm bid, but it didn't match our valuation."

Given the number of recent enquiries and rejected bids for the big 20-year-old, who added to his reputation with the opener against Palace last Friday, it is starting to look increasingly likely that the U's board will receive a "too good to refuse" bid sooner rather than later.

McFarland continues to consider transfer targets and told U's Net reporter Will Jones yesterday, "There are situations that I am still working on to try and improve the squad at this football club. At this particular moment it is an ongoing situation."

For the full text of this week's On The Spot interview follow this link.