Bent set for Spurs

Tottenham are expected to confirm the signing of England striker Darren Bent from Charlton.

Bent's 15 goals last season could not prevent Alan Pardew's men escaping the drop and the 23-year-old's move from The Valley had been anticipated since defeat to Spurs in the final week of the season when relegation was sealed.

West Ham made the first move for Bent but he turned down the chance to be reunited with Alan Curbishley, who bought him to the Premier League from Ipswich two seasons ago.

The Hammers were willing to pay the £17million Charlton wanted for Bent, with negotiations with Spurs then focusing on getting as close to that figure as possible.

An agreement is yet to be announced but Bent's arrival has moved significantly closer and will represent a healthy profit on the £2.5million Curbishley invested. Ipswich also stand to earn a chunk of the fee as part of the deal taking the striker to Charlton.

Bent scored 37 goals in his two seasons at The Valley - he reached double figures in the last campaign despite knee problems - which earned him two England caps and made it virtually impossible for Pardew to keep him in the Coca-Cola Championship.

He bolsters a Spurs attack which scored more than 60 goals last season, and that was without Mido - who is expected to leave White Hart Lane.

Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane were Martin Jol's first choice for the big games, with Jermain Defoe adding 18 goals as the third striker.