Bent says no - nobody upset!

  • by Gordon Thrower
  • Thursday, 14th June 2007

West Ham United have confirmed that plans to sign Darren Bent from Charlton have fallen through.

A club announcement this evening confirmed that, whilst a fee had been agreed with Charlton, the player had been unable to agree personal terms.

The statement, released on whufc.com, went on to confirm that "we have therefore ended our interest in the player".

Most observers considered the rumoured fee of around £16m to be hugely excessive for a player only on the fringe of the England squad, and there was a general air of relief this evening amongst supporters, many of whom seemed less than impressed at the potential signing of the former Ipswich striker.

Details of exactly why the deal fell through are sketchy at present, although it is thought that Bent received confirmation from Tottenham - his preferred move - that they would be making a move for him.

Charlton chief executive Peter Varney was, unlike many Hammers supporters, less than impressed with the eleventh-hour knock-back; he confirmed that Tottenham are yet to match the fee agreed with West Ham United.

"We set a valuation for Darren and West Ham were the only club prepared to meet that valuation," he said.

"This morning we gave West Ham permission to speak to Darren, which he did - and he has decided not to join them.

"We therefore look forward to Darren starting with us in the Championship next season - which is a massive boost to our chances of returning to the Premier League."

Bent's snub came as something of a surprise to the Hammers board, who were convinced that they had got their man earlier in the day.

So sure were they that Eggert Magnusson released a statement on whufc.com confirming that "we are hopeful of making an exciting announcement soon". It wasn't to be.

Bent's decision to reject United's overtures means that Alan Curbishley is likely to turn his attention to either Liverpool's Craig Bellamy or Everton's Andy Johnson - both players heavily linked with a move to East London in recent weeks.

* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.



More News