Aston Villa plot £14m bid for Tottenham striker Darren Bent

Martin O'Neill is set to launch a £14million raid on Spurs for striker Darren Bent.

Villa boss O'Neill is an admirer of Bent, 24, and inquired about the forward when he moved from Charlton to Spurs in June 2007 for £16.5m.

But despite Bent scoring 12 times this term, new Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is willing to offload the hitman to raise transfer funds.

O'Neill is now poised to make a move after being frustrated in his pursuit of top targets Roque Santa Cruz and Emile Heskey.

Bent, who has four caps, has told pals he would go to Champions League hopefuls Villa to join their large contingent of fellow young English internationals.

But Bent would want a pay-off on his £70,000-a-week wages as Villa's top earner is Ashley Young on £56,000-a-week.

Villa, backed by wealthy US owner Randy Lerner, have the resources to table a straight cash offer.

But Redknapp may ask for either left-back Nicky Shorey or the versatile Nigel Reo-Coker in part-exchange.

Spurs have been monitoring Londoner Reo-Coker, 24, closely since the ace lost his favoured central midfield starting role.

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