Report: Newcastle United prepare Darren Bent bid

Newcastle United are reportedly poised to end Darren Bent's torrid time at Aston Villa by making a bid for the striker.

The 29-year-old has been told by Villa boss Paul Lambert that he won't be included in the club's pre-season preparations including their training camp in Germany.

Alan Pardew, who worked with Bent at Charlton Athletic, wants to pair the England international with Papiss Cisse and plans to launch a bid in the region of £8m to land him, reports The Chronicle.

Bent moved to Villa in January 2011 for a reported £24m from Sunderland.