Black Cats close in on striker

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has revealed chairman Niall Quinn is close to bringing a new striker to the Stadium of Light. Bruce refused to name names, but confirmed Quinn is locked in talks over the signature of a long-term target who he hopes will replace front-man Kenwyne Jones, with just days remaining before the summer transfer window closes. The Black Cats have been repeatedly linked with Rennes forward Asamoah Gyan, who starred for Ghana at the World Cup this summer, while West Ham's Carlton Cole is another player rumoured for a move to Wearside.And while the boss insists he is unwilling to pay over the odds for any player, he is hoping a deal will be wrapped up in the near future.

Close

"We are close to one. I believe the chairman is working extremely hard on that," said Bruce. "It would certainly be a big addition for us if we could possibly make it happen."We are in discussions as we speak, but one thing I won't do is pay inflated prices, just crazy money."I won't make that step. If it's right, then great, but we have also got to make sure we get the right business done."Bruce is hoping he will not be left gambling on the fitness of star striker Darren Bent after Jones departed the club for Stoke in an 8million move earlier this month. The manager feels not replacing the forward would be a major risk, with youngsters Fraizer Campbell, Martyn Waghorn and loan signing Danny Welbeck providing his only other options up front. "I don't think any manager likes to gamble, especially with the transfer window the way it is," he added. "God forbid, if anything happened to Darren, then we are gambling. We are gambling on two young lads who have got a handful of games in the Premier League between them."They will eventually be good players, there's no doubt about that, but it is not an ideal scenario. Please God, he doesn't get injured."We were close last week and unfortunately it didn't happen. Let's hope.&qu! ot;We ar e in discussions, but with the prices, it's a crazy market. There seems to be either no market or it's absolutely astronomical."
Satisfied
Some pundits have questioned Bent's form to date, but after scoring three goals in as many games so far this campaign, Bruce is satisfied with the striker's display. "Everybody is telling me he hasn't looked this and that - he has got three goals already, so he's off and running," he said. "We knew how vital he was to us - that's why we paid all that money."But then again, I could give you a handful of clubs and you take their best player out of it or their most valuable player, and they would all struggle a little bit - especially if he is a striker." Man. City 5/6, Draw 12/5, Sunderland 7/2


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