Going, Going, Gone...(?)

His last goal for Charlton at Anfield. Looks like he knew it would be his last too.

A report in the independent this morning claims that the Spuds have at last seen sense and recognize a bargain when they see one and have agreed to met the £17m price tag. An unspecified amount will be performance-related however and it just remains for Darren to agreed personal terms plus the medical.

If the report is true and there's been many that have proved false then it shows an uncommon ability from the Addicks to hold firm in a deal and demonstrates some newly acquired business skills in driving a hard bargain. We don't know if it's down to Varney or Pardew but whoever's responsible it makes a pleasant change from other transfer deals over the years where we always appear to be short-changed.

There's also a comment on Pardew's attempt to persuade Chelski to part with Israeli international Ben Sahar on a loan deal. He's another striker, 18 in August, and has already scored for the national team in becoming the youngest ever player to play for them.

BREAKING NEWS

And there's now confirmation on the cafc site that the deals done and dusted for £16.5M of which £1m is performance related. Ipswich are entitled to 20 per cent of the deal because of the sell-on clause, meaning an initial payment of £2.58m will be heading to Portman Road leaving Pards with around £12m to spend, if Murray hands it all over that is. Maybe they'll reserve £250,000 for the Ladies....

So, good luck, Darren, and thanks for the memories.