19 Jan 2011

Pienaar to Spurs, Villa sign Bent while Babel let go by Reds

11:19 am on 19 January 2011

South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar announced his move from Everton to fellow Premier League football club Tottenham on Twitter.

Pienaar completed his $6 million transfer just hours after Everton accepted an improved offer from Harry Redknapp's side.

Aston Villa have completed the club record $37 million signing of England striker Darren Bent from Sunderland.

The 26-year-old Bent joined Sunderland for an initial $20 million from Tottenham Hotspur in 2009 and the total fee for his latest move could rise to almost $50 million.

Meanwhile Liverpool have accepted a $12 million bid from Bundesliga club Hoffenheim for their Dutch forward Ryan Babel.

The 24-year-old, who joined Premier League side Liverpool in 2007, has travelled to Germany to discuss personal terms with Hoffenheim, Liverpool said in their website.

A speedy winger who can also play as a striker, Babel failed to establish a regular first team place with Liverpool and has also been on the fringes of the Dutch national side.