Charlton move for Bent
Charlton are set to sign Ipswich Town striker Darren Bent for a fee that could rise to £3m (€4.44m).
Bent, an England Under-21 international, is expected to sign a four-year-deal with the Barclays Premiership club later today after they agreed an initial fee of £2.5m (€3.7m) with the Suffolk side.
The transfer follows the Tractor Boys’ failure to progress to the top flight via the play-offs after finishing third in the Coca-Cola Championship.
The 21-year-old came through the ranks at Portman Road, scoring 55 goals in 142 appearances after making his debut in November 2001.
Last season Bent struck 19 times and was an integral part of the team that just missed out on promotion – after which it was always likely he would leave.
Bent would have gone into the new season with just one year left on his contract so the club revealed they had reluctantly accepted the Addicks’ offer.
Chairman David Sheepshanks told the club’s official website, www.itfc.co.uk: “It is always sad to sell one of your homegrown players but this has become a necessity.
“Both the player and his agent have, for the last 12 months, declined to discuss any new long-term contract other than if we were promoted.
“It is understandable that the player wishes to play in the Premier League, leaving us no other alternative than to realise maximum value through his transfer.
“I would like to thank Darren for everything he has achieved with this club and wish him every success for the future both with Charlton and hopefully England.”
The full £3m (€4.44m) fee is subject to the number of appearances Bent makes for Charlton and England and the deal includes a sell-on arrangement.
