Former Town striker Darren Bent is reported to have turned down his proposed £17 million move from Charlton to West Ham. Bent has been in talks at Upton Park today but is understood to have opted against a switch to the Hammers.
West Ham had hoped to announce the signing of Bent within the next few days with a medical pencilled in for Friday, but, despite the lure of a four-year, £80,000-a-week contract, the England frontman appears to have decided his future lies elsewhere.
The Hammers had offered the Addicks £16 million in cash plus the £1 million-rated Hayden Mullins in return for Bent, who moved to the Valley from Town for £2.5 million in the summer of 2005, a further £100,000 subsequently being paid after appearance clauses were triggered.
Earlier today, Tottenham were reported to have made a late move for Bent with the West Ham deal then appearing a formality. In addition to Spurs, Everton, Liverpool, Valencia, Newcastle and Arsenal have also been linked since Charlton's relegation made Bent's sale inevitable.
Town stand to gain 20% of the profit the Addicks make on the fee they paid the Blues for the 23-year-old. The £17 million move would have netted Town £2.88 million.
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