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SUNDERLAND manager Roy Keane will have to rely on his powers of persuasion if he is to lure Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent to the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats are ready to offer the 24-year-old a package which would make him the highest paid player in the Wearsiders' history.

But, with Bent said to be reluctant on a move to the North-East, it may take more than a lucrative offer to tempt the Spurs man away from North London.

And that will be where Keane steps in as he continues his search for a top class striker.

In the wake of Kenywne Jones' injury, which will keep the Trinidad & Tobago forward out until Christmas, Keane has drawn up a list of possible targets.

Bent has made it clear he would prefer to remain in the south, but Keane will hope that the offer of regular first-team football would force the forward to reconsider his options.

The Black Cats boss would also argue that a move to Wearside could aid Bent's international aspirations.

The striker is keen to prove himself at White Hart Lane after a frustrating first season following his £16.5m move from Charlton Athletic last summer.

Bent spent most of the campaign in the shadows of Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane, and he was restricted to just 11 starts.

Spurs boss Juande Ramos is willing to listen to offers for Bent, who would command a fee in the region of £12m.

However, even if Sunderland do come up with the right price, persuading Bent to make the move could prove the biggest obstacle as Keane looks to make his first transfer breakthrough of the summer.

There is no lack of funds in the Sunderland kitty, but Keane is happy to bide his time until the right players come along as he looks to build on last season's satisfying return to the top flight.

The Irishman is also looking to offload a number of his players, with Ross Wallace among those likely to be first.

It has been well documented that Preston have made their interest known, although there is now a realistic chance that the former Celtic winger will be heading for Sheffield United.

11:23am Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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