Source: Northern_Echo
Bruce to defy Bent bids
STEVE BRUCE will block any bids for Darren Bent this summer but accepts the striker's 23 goals makes him one of the Premier Leagues most coveted players.[LNB] The Sunderland boss became accustomed to selling his star performers during spells in charge of Wigan Athletic and Birmingham City but insists the financial backing afforded by Sunderland owner Ellis Short means that hes under no pressure to balance the books by cashing in his prize asset.[LNB] Sunderland posted a loss of £26m for the last financial year and Bruce admits that Bent's stunning form will mean the striker is worth even more than the initial 10m fee the club paid Tottenham Hotspur for his services last August. Nevertheless, Bruce believes the sale of Bent would undermine the progress made by Sunderland this season and the manager will not be encouraging bids despite a host of clubs expected to be in the market for a new striker this summer.[LNB] With Liverpool not expected to qualify for next season's Champions League manager Rafa Benitez is preparing to deflect a barrage of bids for marksman Fernando Torres. The Reds could turn to Bent if the Spanish striker is tempted away from Anfield and with the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City all keen to bolster their forward lines Bent is expected to be high on the wanted lists of a host of top clubs in the next transfer window.[LNB] Bruce will remain steadfast in the face of any unwanted approaches but dreads the prospect of spending his summer trying to hang onto his star striker.[LNB] "Please God no! He has been huge for us and the one thing we don't want to do is sell our best players. There is no authority above me saying I have to sell. We need more Darren Bents. We need to look at his sort of ilk and find players of his calibre and quality.[LNB] "It hasn't surprised me he scored 20 goals. He did it last year at Tottenham coming off the bench near enough, he did it at Charlton, at Ipswich. Hes always done it. Whether (Torres leaving Liverpool) kicks off something, I sincerely hope not. I know Benty is worth darn sight more than he was 12 months ago.[LNB] "This club's got the ability to resist. In the past the clubs I have been before the answer would be no. They didn't resist. At Wigan we sold, at Birmingham we sold when the offer was big enough for Upson. I don't think it will happen here unless we are talking ridiculous prices. I will do my utmost to try and hang on. If it becomes the funny season and if Man City repeat what happened with Lescott maybe, but Darren has enjoyed it immensely and Sunderland has been good for him too.[LNB] "He is extremely happy and not just because he is scoring goals. He is very popular. I was at a shop opening the other day. I must have asked 700 kids who their favourite player was and 685 said Darren Bent. They love a goalscorer up here."[LNB] Clauses in Bent's contract means that his stunning goalscoring form has forced Sunderland to make additional payments to Spurs but Bruce insists the 26-year-old is worth every penny.[LNB] "There are goal bonuses but were delighted to pay. I am sure Daniel (Levy) is looking and thinking all the time (about that). I think it rises to 15m, which is the difference," noted Bruce who hailed Short for his continued financial backing.[LNB] "Were very fortunate here that we have somebody like him who does the job very quietly, and keep himself to himself. But has huge ambition. If the right player becomes available then I am sure Mr Short will give us the backing to try and do that."[LNB] Bruce admitted the club are keeping tabs on Belgium Under-21 international goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and Wigan left-back Charles N'Zogbia.[LNB] "I think I was linked with 156 players last summer and signed six of them. We are aware of the young goalkeeper but that's as far as its gone so far."[LNB]
