Charlton Athletic Football Club News

• Nickname:The Addicks
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Chris Powell

• Ground:The Valley
• Capacity:27,111

Pards hints at Bent deal

05 Jan 2007 - 10:50:57

Click To Enlarge

Charlton Athletic manager Alan Pardew has hinted that the Premiership strugglers may be prepared to listen to offers for star striker Darren Bent.

The 22-year-old England international is currently sidelined by a knee injury, but has still been the subject of rumours suggesting a big-money approach from Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs have denied such suggestions, but Pardew accepts that Bent could move on in the near future if the price is right.

He told Sky Sports News: "It sounds like his price has dropped if you're thinking £7million, because £7million isn't going to touch the sides for Darren Bent.

"This is a top-class player in my view. After watching him for just a week and a bit, he's an England player and that's how he should set his goals.

"At the moment he's a Charlton player and that's what he will stay.

"His injury at the moment gives us a problem. We cannot afford to have him out of the team for five weeks, so I'm having to assess it and weigh up all the situations and I'll have to do what's right for Charlton.

"My priority when I came here and when he was fit, was that he was not going to go anywhere, that was categorical.

"The injury changes things. We are trying to locate a striker to replace him, so we'll see.

"But, certainly the figures for Darren Bent being bandied around are way too low."