Sunderland striker Darren Bent is on the verge sealing of an £18m switch to Aston Villa.
The England international handed in a written transfer request on Sunday night and Black Cats manager Steve Bruce confirmed the reports on Monday. Bruce told ESPN: “I’m disappointed but that’s the way it is.”
A Sunderland statement read: “The club can confirm that it received a written transfer from Darren Bent following yesterday’s Wear-Tyne derby match.”
Aston Villa are keen to bolster their strike options with the injury prone Emile Heskey managing just three league goals this term, while the out-of-form John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor have failed to net a single strike in 25 games.
The deal, which could rise to £24m depending on appearances and performances, would mark a major coup for Villa boss Gerard Houllier, who has been plagued with rumours surrounding his future in recent weeks.
Bent joined Sunderland from Tottenham for £10m in 2009 and has netted 36 times in 63 appearances for Bruce’s side.
The former Ipswich Town trainee has made seven appearances for the England national team and scored his first goal against Switzerland in August.