Darren Bent remains at Aston Villa over their £6 million asking price.
Newcastle United have scrapped their bid to take the former England striker on the cheap after signing Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis for £8m, says the Mirror.
And Fulham's attempt to give the 29-year-old a fresh start is stumbling after their opening offer fell way short of Villa owner Randy Lerner's valuation.
Lerner is determined to recover at least a quarter of the club record £24million he spent to buy Bent two years ago, and is willing to go on funding his £65,000 a week wages if his valuation isn't met.
