The Black Cats have long been linked with the former Ipswich and Charlton talisman - who has scored 18 goals in 59 league appearances for Spurs.
However, the chances of Bent completing a deal with the Stadium of Light outfit appeared slim, after manager Steve Bruce revealed that both clubs remained a long way from agreeing a fee for the striker's services, telling the Sunderland Echo:
"We are still short, a long way off in terms of our valuations at the moment. We will look at it again, but if we can't agree, we will move on.
"We are not making headway at the moment and there hasn't been any progress over the weekend."
Bent took part in Tottenham's 2-0 Wembley Cup defeat to Celtic on Sunday afternoon.
However, with Harry Redknapp's squad set to jet off to the Far East on Monday to participate in the Asia Trophy against West Ham, Hull City and Beijing Guoan, the striker is believed to have been ordered off the flight, intensifying speculation that he will depart White Hart Lane for pastures new.
Also on the plane is thought to have been midfielder Jermaine Jenas, seemingly ruling out the prospect of him joining Aston Villa, while England striker Peter Crouch was apparently nowhere to be seen, despite the striker agreeing to join Spurs from Portsmouth on Monday evening.
NEWS: Bent saga beginning to badger Bruce
