Bent close to Sunderland transfer

Darren Bent is close to joining Sunderland after arriving in the north-east for a medical.

The striker, who joined Tottenham for £16.5m two years ago, arrived at Sunderland this morning for a medical, Press Association Sport understands.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has been trying to sign the 25-year-old, who has four England caps, for some time but the clubs have been unable to agree a fee.

The impasse now looks to have been broken - reportedly for a £12m fee - allowing Bent to finally move and become Sunderland's record signing.

Bent would join England Under-21 striker Fraizer Campbell, who has moved from Manchester United, Albanian midfielder Lorik Cana from Marseille, and Paraguay defender Paulo da Silva as new signings at the Stadium of Light.

The fee would eclipse the £9m spent by Sunderland on Scotland keeper Craig Gordon who they bought from Hearts.

Bent has been pushing hard for a move from Tottenham to the Black Cats and caused controversy last week by posting an entry on his Twitter account to criticise Spurs chairman Daniel Levy for holding up the move.

He later apologised saying: "I appreciate that transfers are seldom straightforward.

"I regret my actions and did not intend to offend Daniel Levy or anyone with the nature or the content of my posting."