Everton win Bent chase

Marcus Bent has signed for Everton after the Goodison Park outfit beat off competition from Portsmouth to land the Ipswich Town forward.

The former Sheffield United front man proved his Premiership calibre during a year-long loan spell at Leicester City last season.

Although he was unable to prevent The Foxes sliding out of the top-flight, Bent impressed and was the subject of plenty of interest once the season drew to a close.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp was keen to snare the 26-year-old, but Everton manager David Moyes has won the race for his signature.

Moyes agreed a fee of around £450,000 with Ipswich and it is now understood that the player has to sealed the switch to Merseyside on a three-year deal.

Everton will be keen to dismiss any suggestions that the capture of a forward will lessen their resolve to hang onto England's star turn Wayne Rooney.

It is the second blow for Redknapp this week as he was also pipped to the signing of Ben Thatcher by Manchester City.