Source: SKY_Sports
Bruce confirms Bent talks
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has revealed he is doing his 'utmost' to try to sign Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent.
Bruce is anxious to improve his attacking options at the Stadium of Light and has already missed out on Portsmouth forward Peter
Crouch.
Bordeaux ace Marouane Chamakh remains a target and England international Bent has also been heavily linked with a move to the North East.
The Black Cats' interest in the 25-year-old has now been confirmed, with Bruce admitting talks are ongoing between the two clubs.
A fee is believed to be the sticking point, with Spurs reportedly wanting to recoup the £16.5million paid to Charlton for Bent two years ago, while Sunderland value him at £12million.
Talking
"Darren Bent is another one where we are trying our utmost," said Bruce in the Sunday Sun.
"We have tried all summer for Peter Crouch and Darren Bent. Talks are ongoing as we speak at a high level.
"We hope we can do something with it, but as we have just experienced last week, we can get knocked back as well.
"We have to agree a fee - obviously it isn't done yet. But we are talking.
"The one thing I have to do to attract top players here is to make Sunderland an established Premier League team. It is a club that has been up and down too much in recent history."
