Fulham are making a £4 million move for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent.

The Daily Express says Bent has been told he is free to find a new club by Villa boss Paul Lambert, and the Midlands side are now ready to make a big loss on a player they originally signed for £24m.

Bent barely figured in the side under Lambert last season as new boy Christian Benteke shone, and now Fulham and West Ham United are both chasing the Londoner.

Craven Cottage manager Martin Jol knows Bent from their brief spell together at Tottenham and that might give the Dutchman an advantage, but Fulham will definitely try to bargain Villa down below £5m.