This was a transfer that nobody saw coming. Darren Bent produced a lacklustre performance during Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby and perhaps his mind was elsewhere as news broke on Monday that the striker was on the verge of signing for Aston Villa.

It has been reported that the Midlands club have lodged a bid of £18 million for the England striker, who arrived at the Stadium of Light during the summer of 2009 for £10 million. Bent has been a big success for the Black Cats, scoring 32 goals in 58 Premier League starts.

However, it appears that the player is keen to make the switch, although it’s thought that Villa will have to increase their offer as high as £24 million to secure the signature of a player who has seven caps for England after beginning his career at Ipswich Town.

Gerard Houllier has already signed Jean Makoun from Lyon and the acquisition of Bent would be a real statement of intent, although Sunderland supporters will be puzzled as to how the best striker on the books will be allowed to leave.

Darren Bent is now 33/1 with Victor Chandler bookmakers to be Premier League top goalscorer.