Tottenham striker Darren Bent has brushed off criticism
of his £16.5million price tag - and feels Barcelona got Thierry
Henry 'on the cheap'.
Bent's move from Charlton was confirmed on Friday for a fee that
eclipses by £500,000 that for Arsenal legend Henry's switch to
Barca.
Despite his potential, the 23-year-old has yet to establish himself
in the England team - but Bent is not concerned by figures.
He told BBC Radio Five Live: "To be fair I think Barca got
Thierry on the cheap as I'd have put him in the £30million bracket,
so it's surprising he went for so little money.
"It's nothing to do with me. Charlton put the price tag on my head,
I'm just grateful that Spurs took it.
"I was disappointed to leave Charlton - I had a great time there
but I wish them all the best."
Bent decided to leave the Addicks following their relegation from
the Premier League - but he is joining a club where competition
among forwards is already great.
Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe give the club a
wealth of striking talent and Bent expects a tough fight for his
place.
He added: "They have several internationals there already, and as
long as I can go there and fight the cause and help Tottenham get
into the top bracket then I'll be delighted.
"I think it's a bit unfair to talk about me and Berbatov because
Robbie and Jermain were both fantastic last season.
"It's going to be difficult and I don't expect to walk into the
team but I know the challenge and if I'm firing, Berbatov's firing
and Robbie's firing and Jermain's firing, that can only be good for
Tottenham."
Bent, who turned down West Ham, is particularly excited about the
challenge of playing for a club capable of pushing for a top-four
place and competing in Europe.
He said: "They are a massive club and in the last two years they
have been brilliant.
"They have finished fifth and then fifth, hopefully this year we
can do the same or if not we can break into the top four.
"That's what I'm there to do and hopefully that's what will happen.
I'm there to improve and hopefully I can improve with
Tottenham."
On his decision to reject the Hammers, he added: "It does become
difficult but money isn't everything.
"You've got to be focused, you've got to be a strong character and
know what you want and I want to play at the top level. I want play
in Europe. And for me that was Tottenham."