Bent bemoans his Spurs years; Chelsea rejects Real bid for Alex

Darren Bent has rounded on his former manager at Tottenham Hotspurs, Harry Redknapp, after completing his club-record £10m move to Sunderland.

The striker called his two years at White Hart Lane the "hardest of my life". Speaking out at a media photocall at Sunderland yesterday, Bent said his career had "stood still" at Tottenham.

"Even last year, when I was the club's top scorer, I never actually felt wanted. I didn't feel Redknapp wanted me there. It's massive to have the support of your manager and that's not been the case for the last two years."

The 25-year-old added: "It's a weight off my shoulders that I'm finally here. I never felt I would stay in the team even when I was scoring goals."

Meanwhile Spurs have completed the signing of Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong, in a transfer understood to be worth about £8m. The French defender, who is Redknapp's fourth signing of the summer, should bolster Spurs' injury-hit defence. However he is banned for the first two games in August after being sent off in the Magpies' final game of last season...

Chelsea have rejected £18m bid from Real Madrid, for Brazilian defender Alex, the Times is reporting. Real coach Manuel Pellegrini had set his sights on Alex as the defensive linchpin of a new-look team but the Blues dismissed the offer up front...

Meanwhile another Brazilian player, midfielder Lucas, could cause a headache for Rafa Benitez at Anfield, according to the Sun. Since Liverpool paid Gremio £6m for the 22-year-old in 2007, he has started only 25 league games, and Corinthans are said to be keen to take him back to Brazil... ·