Sunderland close in on Bent replacement
Steve Bruce hasn't wasted any time identifying a striker capable of replacing Darren Bent following his surprise midweek departure to Aston Villa for £18 million, with BBC Radio Stoke claiming that Sunderland have agreed a fee of £3 million for Stoke forward Ricardo Fuller.
We're of the opinion that it would be a shrewd piece of business, as while not as reliable in front of goal as Bent, Fuller is more likely to create a chance out of nothing and is also more combative (and no, we're not just talking about that scrap with Andy Griffin!), while Bent surely isn't six times better.
Dissenting voices in the Betfair Football office have pointed out that the former Portsmouth striker's goalscoring record isn't that impressive - though it's hardly disgraceful either - and believe that the 31-year-old isn't on the same level as the England international.
Our counter argument would be that Stoke's success over the last two years with the Jamaican as their top scorer proves that he brings enough to the team to be an asset without being prolific, while record signing Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck - currently injured - can be relied upon to find the net.
Stoke are four points behind the sixth-placed Black Cats with a game in hand and if you fancy them to overhaul that gap without Fuller, the Potters are available at [2.46] to finish higher.
What would you rather have: Darren Bent or Ricardo Fuller and £15 million in the bank? We'd love to hear your views in the box below...
Published: 21 Jan 2011
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