CHARLTON have confirmed that striker Darren Bent has turned down a move to West Ham United.

The clubs had agreed a fee, believed to be around £17million, for the England international, but Bent rejected the chance to be reunited with former boss Alan Curbishley after talks at Upton Park on Thursday.

Charlton chief executive Peter Varney said: "We look forward to Darren starting with us in the Championship next season, which is a massive boost to our chances of returning to the Premier League."

The 23-year-old is also thought to be attracting the attention of Tottenham and Liverpool, though it remains to be seen whether either will match the Addicks' valuation of the player.

Bent signed for Charlton from Ipswich Town for £2.6million in the summer of 2004. Ipswich would be due 20 per cent of any profit made on the striker.

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