Redknapp turns attention to Bent
Nov 30, 2012 (Menafn - The Daily Star - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --Queens Park Rangers are ready to make a January move for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent, who has been frozen out at Villa Park.
The 28-year-old has been overlooked for the past four Premier League fixtures, prompting speculation linking the forward with a move away.
Having joined Villa in 2011 for a club record fee of 24 million pounds (38.52 million), he lost the Villa captaincy in September and has started just one match since the beginning of October.
QPR are currently without both Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson, leaving the west London club short on options up front.
Bent previously played under new QPR manager Harry Redknapp at Tottenham, but reportedly fell out with the player after publically criticizing the England international.
Redknapp ridiculed the striker after he had failed to score against Portsmouth in 2009, saying the chance was one his "misses could have scored."
But with QPR in need of a proven goalscorer, the former Spurs boss has indicated a willingness to repair his relationship with a player who has scored 102 Premier League goals.
"I like Darren -- I've got no problems with Darren Bent," Redknapp told reporters. "I just made a comment that maybe I shouldn't, when I said I think my missus would have scored when he missed a header that day.
"It was obviously difficult, he didn't like it and that was sort of it really, and within no time he decided that he didn't want to stay. But I think he's a good player. I'd like to have Darren Bent available, believe you me. He can score goals."
Liverpool have previously been linked with Bent, but Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is thought to have focused his efforts on other targets.
Fulham are also said to be keen, although QPR have emerged as the early front-runners for Bent's signature.
While the forward has not submitted a transfer request, the Guardian says that the former Ipswich striker is anxious about not being included in match day squads.
Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has said there is no chance of striker Jermain Defoe moving to Loftus Road.
"That's not possible," Villas-Boas told reporters when asked whether Defoe may leave White Hart Lane in January. "He is one of the best strikers I have worked with.
"I certainly put him alongside [Porto striker Radamel] Falcao. His hunger for goal is extreme. That makes things easier for you to work with because you don't have to teach a lot."
Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway has criticized Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger over recent comments he made about Eagles forward Wilfried Zaha.
Wenger has said that Zaha is a player he admires, admitting the Gunners would be interested in signing the 20-year-old should the opportunity arise.
"Why is he talking about my players?" Holloway said in comments reported by British daily the Sun. "It's not the game.
"I will be picking the phone up to talk to him as I don't think it is right and proper with the greatest respect. That is totally bad etiquette."
Manchester City have also expressed an interest in Zaha, who has helped Palace shoot up the table in the English second tier.
"Wilf is a big part of our season -- and we have such a strong contract others can go and whistle. He won't be available, no matter what the price is, in January," Holloway added.
Holland midfielder Wesley Sneijder admits he is uncertain whether he will remain at Inter Milan beyond the January transfer window.
British daily Metro reports that the Dutch international is currently banned from featuring for Inter until he agrees to a new contract that significantly reduces his pay.
The former Real Madrid star is said to be furious at the decision, and has recently been linked with a series of moves away from the San Siro.
"I am happy here, but I don't know what will happen," Sneijder told fans.
Despite interest from a number of European clubs, Italian daily Tuttosport have said that the player's first choice would be to remain in Milan, prompting speculation Inter's city rivals AC Milan are preparing an offer.
The reports from Italy say that Milan will likely attempt to take Sneijder on loan until the end of the season before they can secure the funds to complete a permanent deal.
Malaga have revealed that midfielder Isco will likely sign a new long-term extension to his contract with the Spanish club.
City and Manchester United have been linked with the Spanish Under-21 international, who has also attracted attention from Arsenal and Tottenham.
Isco has impressed during Malaga's Champions League campaign, with the Spanish club currently topping a group that also includes Milan and Zenit St. Petersburg.
But club director Mario Husillos has said the player is unlikely to leave the club any time soon.
"Talks for renewal [of his contract] are still on track," Husillos told Spanish daily Malaga Hoy. "The boy wants to stay at the club because it is clear that this is best for his development.
"Isco is intelligent and young and hasn't played that many La Liga matches.
"He will soon be in the Spanish national team and that will be the ideal time [for him] to exit."
German midfielder Mesut Ozil is said to be considering his future after losing his place to Luka Modric at Real Madrid.
Ozil joined Real from Werder Bremen in 2010 and has proved a tremendous success, but the Sun quotes sources close to the player as saying he is growing increasingly unhappy with his current situation.
Manchester United have been linked with a 24 million pound bid for the playmaker.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to sign a long-term successor to Paul Scholes, who came out of retirement last season after a spate of injuries threatened to disrupt the club's push for the title.
Ferguson saw his attempts to sign Lucas Moura and Eden Hazard frustrated this summer, and has reportedly been asked to be kept abreast of Ozil's situation.
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