Darren Bent to Fulham - Both logical and illogical

Reports yesterday linked Fulham as a possible destination for Darren Bent in January. Bent has been sidelined at Villa, left on the bench again at the weekend, amid rumours of a growing rift in January.

He has scored just two in nine league appearances this season (six starts) and had his captaincy removed. New signing Christian Benteke looks a real force, and speculation is and will continue to rage about his impending departure.

So what of a switch to Fulham? Well it makes sense, sort of. But not entirely.

It is logical from the point of view that Fulham have money to spend on new players in January. They sold Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele late on for more than £20 million combined, and Martin Jol has spoken of his intention to spend it.

Bent may prefer a 'big' switch to Liverpool, but the Reds are more likely to look elsewhere at targets. Fulham would be a return to London for Bent, where he enjoyed success with Charlton, but a disappointing time at Tottenham.

If he is unhappy at Villa, then a move may be best for both parties, but having spent the best part of £24 million on the striker in 2010, the club will want to extract the maximum price available.

Whether Fulham is an upwards move may be open to debate among Villa fans, but Fulham supporters will simply point to the league table, this year and last, and reference their Europa League final run in 2010 as proof of recent success.

What doesn't entirely make sense, is the number of strikers already available at Fulham. It's this which makes us question the move's logic.

Just yesterday Martin Jol commented he does not know his best strikeforce, and its hard not to blame him. Having to pick two of Dimitar Berbatov, Bryan Ruiz, Hugo Rodallega and Mladen Petric is clearly causing him a headache, albeit a pleasant one.

Do Fulham really need a fifth striker adding to that complexion? If one were to suffer an injury perhaps, but while they all remain fit, its hard to see Bent fitting in at Craven Cottage, especially with all four of the strikers being signed within the last 14 months.

Where Fulham really need to spend their money is in defence and central midfield, with Murphy and Dembele - last season's regulars in the middle both departed in the summer.

Brede Hangeland is dallying over a new contract, linked yesterday with both Liverpool and Newcastle, and Fulham would be wise to sign cover in case he leaves next summer. Plus considering their troubles of late, conceding three at the Madejski on Saturday for example, reinforcements at the back are a bigger priority.

So Fulham may be able to sign Bent, but whether they actually need to is another matter.

What do you think, should Fulham bring Bent in?

image: © wonker