Ipswich accept Bent bid

Charlton Athletic have had a bid accepted for Ipswich striker Darren Bent.

Charlton Athletic are set to sign Ipswich's impressive young striker Darren Bent after they had a £2.5 million bid accepted by the Championship side.

The England Under-21 international has enjoyed a prolific season at Portman Road, but following the club's inability to achieve promotion through the play-offs, The Addicks have now moved to secure his services.

Promoted Sunderland were also rumoured to hold an interest, although Charlton boss Alan Curbishley will now get his man on a four-year deal if he passes a medical on Wednesday.

Ipswich have reluctantly accepted the offer, which stands at an initial £2.5 million although will rise to £3 million depending on appearances, both domestic and international. 

Curbishley is keen to overhaul his Charlton squad following their perennial end of season slump, and has signalled his intention to bolster his attacking options with the 21-year-old who claimed 21 league goals this season.

Bent expressed his delight at agreeing terms at The Valley, revealing he was impressed with the ambition shown by Curbishley and chairman Richard Murray.

"As soon as I met Alan Curbishley and Richard Murray I had no doubt whatsoever that this was the club I wanted to join," Bent told Charlton's official website.

"I have been hugely impressed by their plans for the club, both on and off the field, and I am convinced Charlton can go from strength to strength.

"I very much want to be part of that."

The arrival of Bent will herald a busy summer for Charlton, and club supremo Murray voiced his pleasure at agreeing a deal for the Ipswich man whilst insisting that the club will pursue further signings in the near future.

"Darren is a player we have been seeking to sign for the last two years.

"He is exceptionally quick and a young player from whom we think the best is yet to come. We are delighted he has agreed to join us.

"This is the first of a number of quality signings we will make over the course of the next few weeks."

Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks admitted his disappointment at Bent's likely departure, and conceded that the inability to secure top flight football meant that the Suffolk side were unable to keep hold of their star performer.

"It is always sad to sell one of your homegrown players but this has become a necessity," Sheepshanks told the Ipswich official website.

"Both the player and his agent have, for the last 12 months, declined to discuss any new long-term contract other than if we were promoted.

"It is understandable that the player wishes to play in the Premier League, leaving us no other alternative than to realise maximum value through his transfer."