• Premier League

Bent agrees terms with Villa

Harry Harris
January 18, 2011
Aston Villa are aware of Darren Bent's goal threat © Getty Images
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Darren Bent's £24 million move from Sunderland to Aston Villa has edged closer to completion after sources close to the transfer told ESPNsoccernet that the striker has agreed personal terms.

Bent, 26, found himself at the centre of the January transfer window's most surprising piece of news on Monday when it emerged that Aston Villa had succeeded with an initial offer of £18 million, rising to £24 million, for the England international.

Sunderland subsequently revealed that Bent had handed in a transfer request and manager Steve Bruce told ESPNsoccernet he was "disappointed" to be losing a player who has scored 32 goals in 58 Premier League appearances for the Black Cats.

It is now understood that Bent has agreed personal terms with Villa and could earn as much as double the £35,000-a-week salary he currently enjoys at the Stadium of Light. However, there are still some outstanding issues to be resolved before any transfer is announced.

A source told ESPNsoccernet: "By and large the deal is on track but there are some negotiations with Sunderland to conclude. The player has agreed his personal terms and by and large the figures mentioned are correct. There is still a lot of detail to be ironed out but the deal is closer to being completed."

If Bent does join Aston Villa then he will shatter the club's current transfer record, which is the £12 million paid for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing in the summer of 2009.

Villa have already strengthened in January with the signing of Lyon midfielder Jean Makoun

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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