Bent future unclear

The future of Darren Bent remains up in the air with Aston Villa and Hull having joined the race for the Tottenham striker last night on the eve of his proposed medical with Sunderland.

England frontman Bent was set to travel to Beijing with Spurs on Monday but disembarked the plane when it became apparent Sunderland were interested in him.

Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn has promised there are more signings to come and the former Charlton frontman looked set to be the first of those after he was withdrawn from Spurs’ pre-season trip to China in order to begin negotiations with Sunderland.

The north-east club were expected to announce the 25-year-old’s arrival but Hull and Villa are willing to match Spurs’ £14m valuation of the player. Chairman Daniel Levy will now decide which bid to accept.

A move to the Stadium of Light would make Bent Sunderland’s record signing, eclipsing the £9m paid to Hearts for goalkeeper Craig Gordon two years ago.

However, Quinn said despite being bankrolled by American owner Ellis Short they would only pay realistic prices for players identified by manager Steve Bruce.

“We’re busy exploring a number of options at the moment and hopefully one or two of those will come off in the near future,” Quinn told SAFC TV.

“We are looking in a number of areas. I’d love to say more, but I’d be pretty confident that there will be something else to come yet.

“Ellis has been superb. He has backed us but he expects us to be diligent in the transfer market and we will try to do that.

“Ellis is eager to get us set up in the best position possible, although it’s not easy as we have to protect the club’s interests at all times.

“We are not interested in getting caught up in some of the crazy stuff going on in the transfer market at the moment.

“Instead we will make good, sterling signings who will add to the team and who are at the right age.

“Ellis is 100% behind us and doesn’t interfere – he just gives us the money!”