Aston Villa are refusing to sell Darren Bent on the cheap.

The Daily Mail says Villa are seeking a transfer fee in excess of £8m for Bent.

The Birmingham club accept they will have to take a loss on the England international who has cost them almost three times that amount since arriving at Villa Park in January 2011.

That figure is certain to scupper any interest Newcastle United had in the forward - particularly as the Magpies were hoping to reach an agreement over the player's wages.