Kent’s out of contract batsman Joe Denly has been linked with a move to County Champions Lancashire.

The 25 year old opening batsman is out of contract at Kent having failed to agree a new deal at Canterbury so far.

With many clubs rumoured to be keen on signing Denly, Lancashire appear to be the latest name to be linked with the batsman with coach Peter Moores telling the Manchester Evening News that he is looking for someone like Denly having seen batsman Mark Chilton retire at the end of the season:

“We have space on our staff for an experienced player, if the right player comes along,” said the Lancashire coach.

“We have players internally who have done well, but with having a small staff anyway and now losing Mark, there is room

because we don’t want to have too small a squad.

“If you lose a couple of players through injury we still need to be able to put out a competitive squad.”

Losing Denly would be a huge blow to Kent who are known to be keen to retain his services. The batsman has already been linked with a move to Essex and Middlesex, but he told KSN just a few weeks ago that he could still sign for Kent:

“We are still talking and negotiating about a new deal, so there is still a chance I could still be here next season.”

“These things always take time to sort and I am hoping to get it all done pretty soon.”

“I’ve had a decent last half of the season and it’s a shame we haven’t managed to achieve what we set out to achieve, but that’s cricket.”

Denly, who is getting married later this year, is known to be keen to secure a long term deal wherever he ends up. Kent fans will just be hoping that place is the St Lawrence Ground.

Picture supplied by Sarah Ansell. To see more of Sarah’s pictures visit www.sarahcanterbury.com