Spurs-bound Bent 'can be the next Lineker'

"They appreciate the efforts we made and they are less disappointed than I thought they might be," claimed the club's chairman after failing with a £17million bid.

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"The view seems to be that perhaps this wasn't the best deal we could do at this stage."

As news filtered through yesterday that Bent is on his way to White Hart Lane from Charlton for just £1m less, the reaction of Spurs fans on their message boards was similarly muted.

Since moving from Ipswich two years ago, Bent has scored 31 goals in 68 League appearances. Given an extended period with injury last season, it is an impressive return.

But it is the £16m price tag which is causing consternation among Spurs fans, who already have Jermain Defoe warming the bench.

Why consider selling Defoe for about £10m, only to spend £6m more on Bent, a player many in north London believe is no more than the equal of the man he is likely to replace?

Tottenham manager Martin Jol's long pursuit of Bent suggests he is a striker who can help Spurs into the top four. One man who has no doubts about Bent's ability is his former manager at Ipswich, Joe Royle. He believes Bent has the pace and clinical finishing to mature into the next Gary Lineker.

"If I was Darren, I would sit myself down with an armful of Gary Lineker DVDs and study them," said Royle.

"They have very similar attributes. People would say there wasn't a lot more to Lineker's game than scoring goals, which always made me smile because scoring goals is what the game is all about. He was probably the best in the game at getting behind defenders and finishing.

"Lineker's movement and desire and aggression to get on to the ball would be a great example for Darren to follow. All the attributes are there and there's no reason why he can't get to the level Lineker did."

The lure of European football has been paramount in Bent's decision to snub £75,000-a-week at West Ham for £45,000 at Spurs, a refreshing stance in the money-orientated world of the modern footballer.

Royle believes Tottenham offer the perfect opportunity for Bent to dispel any fears over his mammoth price tag, while forcing his way back into England manager Steve McClaren's thinking.

"He has to do it on a bigger stage," conceded Royle. "The prices are amazing but it's all down to supply and demand. He is one of the top goalscorers in the division. There are still holes in his game and he has to fill all those holes if he is to be successful at international level. But he's a young lad learning his job. He is not shy of work or dedication."

In the Ipswich academy, there was always a feeling that he could be special as he graduated in a crop which included Charlton teammate Darren Ambrose.

HIS arrest and caution by police, three years ago, for firing a ball-bearing gun at a 12-year-old boy who had been pestering him, has generally been accepted as a flash of immaturity.

Those who know him well describe him as bubbly and friendly, not wrapped up in the pursuit of money — nor do they doubt his professionalism.

"Every time he has been asked the question he has scored goals," said Matt Holland, his former Ipswich captain and Charlton team-mate.

"In the Ipswich youth team he scored 20 a season, the same in the reserves and the same in the first team. He came to the Premier League and got 20. His goalscoring record speaks for itself. At the top end of the table he is likely to get even more chances. He is not afraid of missing. If he misses, he will score the next time.

"He's a top-class player and a topclass professional. He is always the first one out on the training field and the last one in. He deserves the success that is coming his way."

Bent has always scored — 54 goals for Ipswich in just over three seasons — but Charlton faced little competition when they made their move and the £2.5m fee, plus another £100,000 on appearances, looked a snip when the goals started to fly in.

Ipswich were criticised for letting him go on the cheap but they insisted on a healthy sell-on clause. They'll cream off 20 per cent of Charlton's profit on the £16m deal.

Royle never doubted Ipswich were set for a healthy return.

"Players don't always make the step up. A goal machine at Championship standard is not guaranteed to score in the Premiership but Darren's proved he can do it."

Bent scored 22 in his first season at Charlton only to freeze on his England debut, against Uruguay last year.

Sven Goran Eriksson left him out of the World Cup and although Bent won his second cap under McClaren, he is yet to establish himself in the squad. He must do that if he is to emulate Lineker and a move to Spurs could boost his career just as the England legend hit the headlines with a move from Leicester to Everton a generation ago.