Marcus Bent has exclusively told Football FanCast that he believes Eddie Howe wants to stay in the Premier League.

The former Bournemouth manager has been out of work since taking the Cherries down last season but has been strongly touted as Celtic's number one target to replace Neil Lennon at Parkhead.

Howe reportedly made a verbal agreement to become the next Hoops manager earlier this month, but talks appear to have stalled, with the 43-year-old yet to decide regarding the job.

But since making that agreement with the Glasgow giants, Howe has been heavily linked with the vacancy at Crystal Palace, with growing uncertainty surrounding the future of Roy Hodgson, whose contract expires in the summer.

Howe has held talks with the Eagles, and Bent thinks that remaining in England would be his preference, especially following his outstanding work in the Premier League with Bournemouth.

Bent told Football FanCast:

"With Celtic you're moving away from the Premier League, there's four teams in that league you can compete with. I think he probably wants to stay in the Premier League.

"Palace, the players and the team are doing ok. He could go in there and bring in one or two players and his backroom staff.

"I'm sure that would be a good move for him, still managing in the Premier League, so I think that would be a good move for him rather than Celtic."