Darren Bent - Villa for £18m

[DannyMan2006]

Rumours abound on Twitter that Darren Bent in the Midlands discussing terms with Aston Villa over an £18m deal.

Some suggest funding will come from sale of Ashley Young

[Bender]

Rumours abound on Twitter that Darren Bent in the Midlands discussing terms with Aston Villa over an £18m deal.

Some suggest funding will come from sale of Ashley Young

that move makes no sense at all....sell a winger and buy a striker

[Drago]

that move makes no sense at all....sell a winger and buy a striker

It does when you have around 4 wingers & only John Carew upfront.

[DannyMan2006]

They have Downing and Albrighton.

Young was playing off the striker when all three fit. Does make sense.

Breaking news on SSN now.

Bent put in a transfer request, accpeted by Sunderland. Initial £18m fee rising to £24m.

Great signing for Villa. Guaranteed goal scorer. No way Villa going down now.

[Craig_H]

I rate Bent. Fee rising to £24m seems high though, but it sure puts paid to the idea that Learner's not going to spend anymore.

[Chris]

Jesus christ! He's been crap this season, think its something like 4 goals from open play. Prices are out of control but if thats what you have to pay its what you gotta do.

[Craig_H]

Seems a strange move from Sunderland's point of view though.

And Bent's too - why did he put in a transfer request? What's upset him at Sunderland?

[paulg]

£18m and he can't even get in the England squad.

[Imy]

[devils advocate] Bent or Suarez? [/devils advocate]

[magicalbarnes]

Seems a strange move from Sunderland's point of view though.

And Bent's too - why did he put in a transfer request? What's upset him at Sunderland?

Hows it strange? They are getting £18m for a player, who is not worth £18m!

[IN_RAFA_WE_TRUST]

Hows it strange? They are getting £18m for a player, who is not worth £18m!

That is true, but then again if he saves Villa from the drop then it will be worth every penny spent.

[Craig_H]

Hows it strange? They are getting £18m for a player, who is not worth £18m!

He is also a player who guarantees them goals every season.

Money is great, but if you cant get a better replacement, what is the point?

Which striker, who is proven in the PL and can guarantee 20+ goals per season, is going to go to Sunderland?

And Sunderland are also 6th right now, on the cusp of Europe. They should be building, not selling their biggest assets.

[Mattshark]

[devils advocate] Bent or Suarez? [/devils advocate]

Suarez, Bent is a great finisher but offers nothing else.

[DannyMan2006]

[devils advocate] Bent or Suarez? [/devils advocate]

Suarez. As Tompkins said on Twitter, LFC need someone to play off Torres and work with him, not a poorer imitation of him.

As for the fee, it's high but Villa have to pay as they need goals and he brings that. Relegation looms otherwise.

[Fernandinho]

They have Gyan who has scored a few goals for them. Maybe Bruce is resting all his hope on him.