ARSENAL could scupper Ipswich Town's hopes of cashing in on Darren Bent by taking the striker on a season-long loan from Charlton.While Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham, are leading the race to sign the £15million-rated England front man, the Gunners are offering to take Bent for a year and then return him to the Valley if they are promoted.

By Derek Davis

ARSENAL could scupper Ipswich Town's hopes of cashing in on Darren Bent by taking the striker on a season-long loan from Charlton.

While Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham, are leading the race to sign the £15million-rated England front man, the Gunners are offering to take Bent for a year and then return him to the Valley if they are promoted.

Although Emanuel Adebayor has agreed a new deal at the Emirates Stadium, Jeremie Aliadiere is expected to switch to Middlesbrough, while Thierry Henry's future is not certain due to his injury problems, so Arsene Wenger is looking at bringing in Bent.

The EADT understands the move would suit life-long Arsenal fan Bent, and the Addicks, as it would mean them keeping hold of their captain if they bounce straight back up, or it could lead to a permanent move if Charlton fail to return to the Premiership straight away.

But a loan move would leave the Blues without their 20% of any fee over £2.6m promised as part of the deal that took Bent to the Valley from Portman Road two year's ago.

Even though Addicks boss Alan Pardew slapped a £15m value on Bent in January, Liverpool remain favourites to sign the England striker for about £12m and have been waiting to play their Champions' League final first before shipping out players and making their move.

The Reds were close to capturing Bent in January before he was injured with a knee problem that is still bothering him.

Spurs are also keen, but need to sell Jermain Defoe, probably to Portsmouth, while West Ham will be without Carlos Tevez and are thought to also be keen on Eidur Gudjonsen

Bent is in no rush to decide his future and said: “The games I have played in the last couple of months have been a real battle. I'm going on holiday to rest the bones and make sure that everything is okay. I haven't really listened to what's going on. I'm just keeping my head down, working on strengthening my knee and getting fit for next season - wherever that may be.”

The Addicks this week signed Luke Varney for £2m, after he revealed he had rejected a move to Norwich City, and Colchester United's Chris Iwelumo on a free transfer, paving the way for Bent to go.

Ipswich Town are still hoping to get £200,000 from Charlton if Bent makes his competitive debut for England while still their player, if he moves on a permanent deal Town will not receive that money.