Fulham Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Darren Bent from Aston Villa, on a season long loan. [Beating the deadline by 30 minutes!] http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/august/16/bent-signs-for-fulham "The details of the deal mean that Fulham will take on Bent’s £65,000-a-week salary on board in full as well as paying a signing on fee. But they do not have an option to buy Bent, 29." Source: http://www.sportsdirectnews.com/premier-league/30228-bent-ruled-out-of-facing-villa.php
It's a shame there is no mention of an option to buy. I think he will do really well for us this season. I guess even if its just a straight loan then he will get us though this season.
Surprised to hear we are paying his full wages without an option to buy! If he scores 20 this season he will go from £5-7M to £14-18M.
I think a loan is a sound move. His season last year was a let down, so he has to prove himself. If works out, then, like Reither, we can pick him up. I think he should do really well for us.
I don't think you can blame Bent for last season. 3 goals in 16 isn't great, but some of those 16 appearances would have been from the bench. I just think Lambert, for whatever reason, decided that he didn't fancy him and then Benteke's form meant Lambert was never under serious form to recall him. As for his availability for tomorrow, my understanding is that the transfer has to be registered by noon on the Friday for a player to play in matches at the weekend. As Fulham announced the signing at 11.30 it looks like he's available if Jol wants him. I'd be surprised to see him start though, and wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't even on the bench.
Looking at most of the papers previews of the match they have him in the starting 11. But I tend to agree, I think if anything he will be on the bench, especially as the match is against Sunderland who probably have less cause to love him than any other club's fans in the country.
