Sunderland boss Steve Bruce defends decision not to reinvest Darren Bent transfer money in January

EPL : Steve Bruce , Sunderland and West Ham (Getty Images)

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Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has defended his decision not to reinvest the money the club received for striker Darren Bent in the January transfer window.

Bent moved to Aston Villa for a fee that could rise to £24 million two weeks before the window shut, but Bruce refused to be rushed into reinvesting the money for fear of the overinflated prices he would be quoted for any potential target.

However, in hindsight the decision may have backfired on the former Wigan and Birmingham boss, with injuries to forward trio Asamoah Gyan, Fraizer Campbell and on-loan Danny Welbeck coinciding with the Black Cats’ fall from sixth to 14th in the table at one point.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Bruce said: “We were quoted astronomical money, stupid things. In the end, we decided to keep a bit back for the summer when we can get value for money.

“Of course, I didn’t know we were going to collapse like we did, but I still think it was the right decision.”

Reports continue to link the club with Tottenham striker Peter Crouch, while Blackpool forward DJ Campbell’s name has emerged in recent days.