Sunderland are close to clinching a deal for Tottenham striker Darren Bent.

The Daily Mail says Bent's move to Sunderland looks back on with Steve Bruce ready to use the £12million he had earmarked for Portsmouth's Peter Crouch to land the unsettled Tottenham striker.

Bent is desperate to leave White Hart Lane and, unlike Crouch, is keen on a move to the Stadium of Light.

His transfer to Wearside had looked doomed after Sunderland were quoted £16m by Spurs.

But Harry Redknapp needs the cash from Bent's sale to fund a move for Crouch and Sunderland are confident that means Spurs are ready to lower their demands for the former Charlton striker.