Bent reveals Sunderland were interested in re-signing him
Darren Bent says he knew Fulham was the right place for him despite admitting former club Sunderland were interested in signing him again, along with Newcastle.
The 29-year-old arrived at Aston Villa in January 2011 to much fanfare, joining in an £18million deal that could have reached as high as £24million.
However, Bent’s successful start to life in the West Midlands turned sour following the appointment of Paul Lambert.
Unwanted at Villa Park, a summer departure always looked inevitable even if Fulham did not always look like his final destination.
Bent told The Shields Gazette:“There was a lot of talk,” “I spoke to Ian Holloway but I always knew Fulham was the place for me.
“I am here now and I am delighted to be here.
“No disrespect to Crystal Palace or Ian Holloway, it is a fantastic football club and he is a fantastic manager. I could only ever see myself coming to Fulham.”
Bent was linked with a number of clubs during the summer, with Stoke also potential suitors.
Sunderland, the club he left to join Aston Villa, were another interested in his services, although it was a move that Bent did not feel comfortable with.
“It was a flitter but it wasn’t anything major,” he said.
“When I was up there now, everything has changed from the chairman, to the manager, to the backroom staff.
“It is a completely different club. There were flitters but my only destination was Fulham.”