Darren Bent claims he laughed at the price Aston Villa paid for him

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Darren Bent has recalled his transfer from Sunderland to Aston Villa back in 2011.

What’s the story?

The England international moved to Villa Park from the northeast of England in a deal worth £24m in January 2011.

At the time, Bent was in great form for the Black Cats having just come off a season where he scored 25 times.

His start to the 2010/2011 campaign wasn’t bad either with the ex-striker having scored 10 times.

As a result, the Villains came calling and Bent has issued the story behind the move.

Speaking to talkSPORT, the retired forward spoke of his surprise at the price quoted for him.

When talking about his move, Bent said: “I was at the house playing Call of Duty on the PlayStation.”

“I fully expected Sunderland to say ‘he’s not for sale’. I just scored 25 goals the season before, so, I fully expected them to say ‘he’s not going’. And then all of a sudden, he [Bent’s agent] calls me back and goes ‘you’re never going to guess, Sunderland have quoted Villa £24m.”

“I can remember vividly, I laughed on the phone and went ‘well, that’s never going to happen, they’re never going to pay that.”

£24m Aston Villa move was probably a shock for everyone as well Bent

Whilst a move to the club wouldn’t have been a shock.

The £24m price tag paid by Aston Villa was probably a shock for everyone else as well as Bent.

He was in staggering form at the time, but, never warranted such a steep price tag.

And it was something Villa would soon regret. Bent ended up struggling massively in the seasons following his arrival, he ended up leaving the club numerous times on loan on a failed move.

Meanwhile, the club are frontrunners for a Manchester United player.