The saga was not prolonged, but a saga it was, complete with a full theatrical arc. The first act came this morning, when news broke of Darren Bent's surprise transfer request. In the second ac,t we heard Sunderland wanted more than the £18 million Aston Villa had initially offered. While we were dug in for one or two days of haggling, the third act has lurched toward a quick, amicable, and lucrative conclusion. Villa have quickly capitulated, agreeing to a £19 million fee that could rise to £24 million.
Sunderland, Aston Villa Agree On Darren Bent Transfer Fee: 19 Million Pounds, Set To Climb To 24 Million
Here’s what The Guardian has to say about the status of the potential record-setting deal for Villa:
The fast-fading love affair between Darren Bent and Sunderland is about to come to a formal end with the completion of the striker's transfer to Aston Villa. Although Sunderland rejected Villa's initial £18m bid today a £19m fee potentially rising to £24m was agreed tonight when the striker travelled to Birmingham.
Sources close to the deal suggested that there is an "inevitability" about the record-breaking move.
Amongst other details reported by Louise Taylor is the revelation that Bent had submitted an initial transfer request last summer, one year after moving to the Stadium of Light from Tottenham. Additionally, Taylor reported Villa submitted their bid last week, a bid of which Bent had become aware.
The prospect of moving to Villa Park gives Bent a chance to move from the North East, having soured on the area after his car was attacked by Newcastle supporters last summer. Bent also sees a move to Villa as a chance to be closer to his family in Cambridgeship while increased his profile for the England national team.
With Sunderland having accepted Aston Villa’s bid, Bent must now reach personal terms with the Birmingham-based club. The 26-year-old striker currently has two-and-a-half years remaining on his deal with the Black Cats.
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