It is being reported that Sunderland striker Darren Bent is the subject of a bid from Aston Villa, believed to be around £18 million which could later rise to £24 million. It was also reported that the England international has handed in a transfer request and is keen to finalise a move away from the North East club – Sunderland have now confirmed the written request. Bent has been with the Black Cats for 18 months after joining from Tottenham and has scored 36 goals in 62 games.
The proposed move seems a bizarre one at first glance, with Sunderland performing above all expectations and sitting pretty in the Premier League in sixth. This will probably not change too much as far as Bent’s Fantasy potential is concerned; it could be argued that a switch to Villa, who are currently underachieving in 17th, is a move sideways rather than forward. But if the striker’s attitude towards life at the Stadium of Light is in question, perhaps new pastures will see him rediscover the kind of form which saw him fire 24 league goals last term and see him emerge as a major Fantasy consideration.
The move would certainly have an impact on Asamoah Gyan who, until somebody else is brought in, will surely play a more prominent role for Steve Bruce’s side. With guaranteed game time, Gyan, the scorer of Sunderland’s equaliser against Newcastle on Sunday, looks a more attractive option at 6.9m in the FPL and an ownership of 2.8%.
This news of Bent’s possible transfer is just breaking. We can only wait for further developments on what could be the most significant switch between two Premier League clubs in the January window.
