Aston Villa are inching closer to a sensational £24 million swoop for Sunderland striker Darren Bent. The deal involves £18 million to be paid upfront to the Black Cats with £6 million worth of add-ons. The 26-year old England international has arrived at Midlands for a medical and could well complete his move tomorrow. The move, which would be the club record fee for Aston Villa, clearly emphasizes Randy Lerner’s support for Gerrard Houllier.
Darren Bent formally submitted a transfer request following Sunderland’s 1-1 draw against Newcastle at the Stadium of Light, which the club accepted with a heavy heart.
Darren Bent has been one of the Premier League’s most prolific marksman. Since making his debut in 2005, Bent has scored 81 League goals – a figure which is bettered only by Didier Drogba and Wayne Rooney with 82 goals. After moving to Sunderland from Tottenham for a fee of around £10 million, Bent has scored 32 goals in 58 games.
Aston Villa have already completed the signing of Cameroon midfielder Jean Makon for about £7 million. Makoun was a pivotal player in the Lyon squad managed by Houllier a couple of seasons ago.
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