It's as good as a done deal

It's not official yet, but it looks like Darren Bent's trip through the Blackwall Tunnel is as good as a done deal. Bent is yet to make up his mind — but has promised an answer within the next 24 hours.

A breakthrough was made yesterday after the Addicks agreed to drop their asking price and West Ham offered the player improved wages. Charlton initially demanded £18m — but the two clubs compromised.

West Ham will pay £16m in cash with midfielder Hayden Mullins going the other way as part of the deal. Spurs were ready to pay Bent £35,000 a week with Liverpool also interested. But West Ham beat off the competition by bumping up their wage offer from £60,000 to £75,000 a week.

It means the whole deal will cost £36.5m with Bent due to earn £19.5m over five years. Bent, 23, will become the highest-paid player at Upton Park as he is reunited with Curbs.

Some Addicks are unhappy about him going to West Ham, but I would rather focus on the cash aspects of the deal (albeit with a nice little earner for the Tractors). I didn't think Peter Varney and the board would be able to get such a good deal, so congratulations to them for sticking to their guns.