Darren Bent may be coming to Liverpool with the Reds set to launch a £9.5m bid.

Bent, who hit 22 goals last season after a £2.5m move from Ipswich, believes he will have to move on to boost his international ambitions. Newcastle were apparently hopeful of signing Bent for £6m, but Andy Johnson's £8.6m valuation has bumped up the price, as Charlton realise that people will pay over the odds.

Claims are that Anfield chief Benitez is clearing the decks by preparing to sell Djibril Cisse.