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Newcastle turn attention to Darren Bent after giving up on Loic Remy
NEWCASTLE have set their sights on Aston Villa and former Tottenham and Sunderland striker Darren Bent after giving up on Arsenal and Liverpool target Loic Remy.
Magpies boss Alan Pardew had hoped to bring Remy back on a permanent basis after a successful loan spell, scoring 14 league goals in 24 starts.
But interest from Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Liverpool have reduced their chances, with the Frenchman revealing his desire of playing in the Champions League.
Newcastle are desperate to sign a consistent goalscorer and have now turned their attention to Bent - who has scored 106 top-flight goals.
The England striker cost Villa £24m in 2011 and, despite scoring 21 league goals in 54 outings, spent last season out on loan at relegated Fulham.
It just wasn’t meant to be
The Villains are keen to offload the 30-year-old due to his high £60,000-a-week wages and would be open to a cut-price offer.
Mike Ashley definitely have the funds to bring him to St James' Park and Bent has already ruled out a return to the Cottagers in the summer.
"I've enjoyed my time down here but obviously it hasn’t gone well," he said. "I haven’t played as much football as I would have liked.
"When I first came here I hoped it was going to be a case of playing fairly regularly, but it just wasn’t meant to be."