Fulham closing on deal with Aston Villa for Darren Bent

Fulham chief Martin Jol today insisted he is hopeful of sealing a move for Aston Villa's Darren Bent by the end of the week.

The Villa outcast is wanted by the Cottagers and Newcastle, with Jol's team in pole position despite having a bid rejected.

Fulham have been talking to Villa and, although the Cottagers are yet to meet the claret and blues' £6m valuation, Jol wants to end the saga by Friday.

"I don't speculate on things that are not 100 per cent," Jol said. "With Darren Bent, hopefully we can tell you something by the end of the week.

"We've got several doors open, so for us it is only us to make a decision and get the player."

Jol is also closing in on a season-long loan move for QPR's Adel Taarabt but has made Bent his No.1 summer target. He is not wanted by Villa boss Paul Lambert, has been training away from the first team and has not played in any pre-season games.

Villa are playing hardball over a fee, with Bent still having two years left on his contract and will only sell their £24m record signing on their terms.

The club are keen to remove his salary, around £60,000-a-week, from the wage bill but will hold out for their asking price.

Newcastle director of football Joe Kinnear claimed this week they are in talks with Villa for Bent but the claret and blues were yet to hold negotiations with the Magpies.