Charlton have confirmed West Ham are still the only club
to have matched their £17million valuation for in-demand striker
Darren Bent.
Tottenham boss Martin Jol is still scouring the market for a new
striker as Mido looks set to move on and it was reported over the
weekend that they were on the verge of securing a £16million record
swoop for Bent this week.
However Addicks chief executive Peter Varney has hit out to rubbish
the claims that a deal had been struck, saying only the Hammers
have matched their full valuation of the England international but
he has already snubbed a move to Upton Park.
"West Ham matched our valuation," Varney told Sky Sports
News.
"As a result of that, we gave them permission to talk to Darren but
he declined to join them.
"No other club has matched our valuation and therefore, despite all
the speculation in the press today, that remains the
situation."
It remains to be seen if Bent will opt to stay at the Valley and
play Championship football next season if no other club comes in
for him with the required fee.
However he might decide to join West Ham if they are the only top
flight side willing to give him an immediate return to the
Premiership come the end of the summer transfer window.