Patrick Lefebvre says he does not know yet whether Sam Bennett will be a Detunink-Quickstep rider in 2020, as his contract status with Beulah Hansgrohe remains unresolved.

However, Lefebvre told Cyclingnews that the German WorldTour team, which claims to have a 2020 contract with Bennett, as part of a trade involving Alvaro Hodeg moving on from Dečuninck, the Irish They have made an offer to the player.

Lefebvre turned down the offer and is patiently waiting for the UCI's arbitration system to determine if Beulah Hansgrohe and Bennett really do have a contract valid through 2020.

Bennett is looking to pull out of the team after failing to qualify for both the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France this year.

"There has been no progress or news. There is still no agreement between him and Bora. There were several other proposals, but I did not accept them. Lefebvre told Cycling News on Wednesday. [They [Bora] were interested in exchanging players, but I refused. They were looking for Hodeg, but I am not interested in exchanging cows, I don't have the guts to go to a 23 year old and say, I have news, you are going to Borra next year. First of all, we are not a soccer team, we can't trade riders.

He won two stages at the Vuelta a España, three stages at the BinckBank Tour, a stage win at the Criterium du Dauphiné, two stages at Paris-Nice, the Irish national championships, and several other races.

With Elia Viviani leaving the Lefebvre team for Cofidis, the Belgian boss is looking for a potential sprinter to replace him, but is holding out.

Asked if he expects Bennett to race for Deceuninck-Quick Step in blue next year, Lefevere replied: "It is not up to me, it depends on whether he reaches an agreement with Bora. We can't take on a rider who is under contract. He says he is not under contract and Bora says he is. I am waiting. I'm sitting here in my chair waiting. That's all I can do."

Cycling News contacted Beulah Hansgrohe, but a team spokesperson said: "We do not comment on any speculation or rumors regarding Sam Bennett."

Cycling News also contacted Bennett's agent, Andrew McQuaid, but Bennett declined to comment.