Sky Sports News understand Newcastle are ready to make a move
for Charlton striker Darren Bent.
The prolific front man looks likely to leave Charlton in the
January transfer window after his manager Alan Pardew admitted the
club might not be able to afford to keep a player who is currently
injured.
Upon his arrival at The Valley, Pardew stated his intention to keep
Bent but following the striker's sustaining of an injury, the
situation has changed somewhat.
Pardew is on the lookout for a replacement striker for Bent, who
will miss the next five weeks, but it remains to be seen if the
Charlton board are tempted into a sale.
The figure mooted to secure Bent's signature was initially believed
to be around the £7million mark but this has since been rubbished
by Pardew.
Tottenham and Chelsea have both been strongly mooted as clubs ready
to make their interest known, but Sky Sports News understand
Newcastle too are now preparing a bid of their own.
It is believed Charlton are very close to the signing of Arsenal
striker Anthony Stokes, who has rejected the opportunity to sign
for Scottish champions Celtic.