But that is probably old news going off Alan Pardew trying to sign the striker two years ago.
Magpies boss Alan Pardew needs to strengthen his attacking options before the start of next season, with Shola Ameobi set to be released and the loan deals of Luuk de Jong and Loic Remy about to expire.
But Bent has been a failure in the last two seasons at Villa and Fulham, and having seen Pardew fail with De Jong, he HAS to get it right this summer with a striker of quality.
The Sunderland connection doesn't matter too much - IF he produced the goods.
As it stands, he is a player who is too much of a risk for Newcastle United and Alan Pardew.