Transfer news: Newcastle's Joe Kinnear 'ready to make move' for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent despite '£6m offer' from Fulham

Fulham rumoured to have made a £6m bid for the striker but Newcastle look set to 'battle it out' for the former England international

Darren Bent (GETTY IMAGES)

Darren Bent could be on his way out of Aston Villa sooner rather than later after Fulham reportedly lodged a £6m offer to try and beat Newcastle to the signing of the England striker.

Bent joined Villa from Sunderland in a deal worth £24m, but he was dropped by manager Paul Lambert last season to make way for Christian Benteke, who went on to score 23 goals in all competitions while Bent had to make do with a place on the bench at best.

The former Charlton and Tottenham striker confirmed he would be leaving Villa Park earlier this month when he spoke to a fan while signing a Villa shirt for him. When asked if he would be leaving, he replied: “I’ll be out of here (Villa) very soon.”

Newcastle had been favourites for Bent’s signature, but Fulham are believed to have made a bid which would see Bent return to London, having played for Charlton from 2005 before moving to Spurs until 2009.

The Magpies are yet to sign a senior player this summer, although The Times are reporting that director of football Joe Kinnear is set to meet Bent’s representatives later this week.

Bent has 13 caps for England, and he hopes that in seeking regular first team football, he can force his way into Roy Hodgson’s squad for next summer’s World Cup.

The 29-year-old boasts an impressive goalscoring record throughout his career, making 426 appearances at club level, scoring 179 goals along the way.