Well, let’s say that the rumours are true, and that Darren Bent could be sold by Charlton to Manchester United for £15 million and upwards. Doesn’t that make sense?

See, popular opinion would suggest that Charlton are heading for the Premiership exit door come May. Having said that, most other squads that make the drop don’t have too much in the way of star power. Maybe one or two players can stand out, but none create the headlines that Bent has inspired over the last 18 months.

As the leading British-born scorer in the Premiership last term, following only that of perennial winners Thierry Henry and Ruud van Nistlerooy, Bent single-handedly multiplied his initial transfer fee of £1.5million  – from Ipswich Town only a year previously – by ten times, if the rumours of his current value are true.

Now that it’s understood why he’s worth so much, let’s understand why he’s staying – for the time being – at the Valley. Well, there really isn’t any solid explanation as to why he’s still there, other than the fact that Charlton still aren’t resigned to the fact that they’re going down to the Championship. Hiring Alan Pardew confirms that they are making a bid to stay up, but not necessarily that their players are ready for a relegation dogfight.

Another possible reason that Bent is still an Addicks player could be that he’s been injured of late, and his potential suitors are waiting in the queue to see if he’s able to bounce back and become a worthy investment.

Those excuses aside, it’s time for Charlton to wake up and smell the quid. While the summertime was an example of how to mis-spend money, or how to buy players who will work very hard to join the Jean-Alain Boumsong school of farcical footballing, the potential that Charlton have to make up for those poor player selections is obvious.

So let’s take a look at this in context of what they could potentially have for the remainder of the season.
Well, rumour has it that Manchester United is looking to sign Gareth Bale as cover for Patrice Evra at right-back. That makes Gabriel Heinze surplus to requirements for United, and available to everyone who wants to make a big signing. Apparently one Premiership club has made a £5million  bid for the player. Surely Charlton isn’t his first choice, but let’s be honest - what relegation fighter wouldn’t want him as a first-choice defender?

Moving to central midfield, Matthew Connolly has returned to Arsenal’s reserves, and doesn’t seem set to leave for any more loan spells. He had a successful month as a first-team player at AFC Bournemouth, and as a no-nonsense defender, looks to be a good cover option for a club that is suffering abysmal defensive lapses.

Then there is the availability of Glen Johnson at Portsmouth. Out of favour at Chelsea and seeming to have suffered a similar fate on the South coast, it would appear that a versatile defender like Johnson could be key for Charlton.

How about some midfield steel? Charlton need some support for Matt Holland, Andy Reid and Dennis Rommedahl. Surely Pardew can eye some of the more fringe players at fellow strugglers and his former club, West Ham United. What about moving away from the larger price tags that accompany Premiership players, and nosing around the Championship below?

The moral of the story is that selling Bent gives Charlton a better chance of succeeding this season and rebuilding for next. They need four players – bare minimum – to be able to cover their flaws and begin to move forward. Pardew could be the man to make it happen, but as yet the jury is still out.

Unless Charlton somehow find a rich vein of form and go on a mazy winning run that sees them wind up in 15th position in May, Bent will find himself at another Premiership club. And poor Charlton will find themselves a Championship side with a wonderfully fat wallet, and no real reason to spend it.

Should Charlton sell Darren Bent - or should they hang on to their prize asset? Let Sportingo have your views and comments.