Town will have to wait for part of the £450,000 they expect to receive from Everton for striker Marcus Bent. The front man was due at the Toffeemen's Bellefield training ground today to continue talks with manager David Moyes.

If Bent agrees personal terms, the Blues will receive £300,000 up front with the rest of the fee payable in a year's time.

Everton are confident they will capture a player who has clearly impressed David Moyes: "Marcus has pace and athleticism and he managed to score
more goals than anybody else in a struggling Leicester side last season.

"I see him as a right-winger as well as a forward and that versatility is important to us.

"He is 26, has a good stature and I am hopeful he will agree to sign today."

The exit of Bent's £17,000-a-week wage will be a big relief to Town's moneymen, the striker one of three players remaining on Premiership contracts.

The other two, Martijn Reuser and Pablo Couñago, are expected to join Bent in leaving Portman Road this summer.

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