Bent Begins Everton Talks

Bent talked with Everton boss David Moyes yesterday afternoon, and has returned this morning to discus personal terms. If they can be agreed it's likely that Marcus will face a medical this afternoon before signing for the club which will come as relief to Town with his £17,000 per week wages off the wage bill.

West Bromwich Albion also have expressed an interest in signing the former Blackburn striker whilst Portsmouth have also made a bid of around the same value of Everton, but Bent is said to prefer a trip to Merseyside rather than to Fratton Park.

With Martijn Reuser rumoured to be in talks with Willem II, this could be a very satisfying week for the blues, and if both players go, it's likely to knock in excess of £1.5M off the clubs wage bill which is hoping to be reduced to around £5M before the start of the season.

That leaves only Pablo Counago still at the club on a Premership contract, and Town boss Joe Royle has already admitted that due to his wages he would be forced to listen to offers for the Spanish striker.