Impact target won't harm Cats plans

Jul 10 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

NIALL Quinn says that Sunderland’s desire to make an “impact signing” this summer will not distract Steve Bruce from tapping up his extensive network of foreign contacts.

The Black Cats have opened negotiations for England strikers Darren Bent and Peter Crouch over the past week as well as making inquiries about Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne – although free agent Jermaine Pennant last night signed for Real Zaragoza.

Sunderland have also made an approach to England under-21 striker Frazier Campbell as Steve Bruce looks to add firepower after the departure of Djibril Cisse.

Those are the kind of players that Quinn believes are “up a notch” from the targets that they were looking at last summer, but the desire for British-based signings will not stop Bruce from importing from the South and Central American regions.

Sunderland have already made a three-year contract offer to Paraguay defender Paulo Da Silva, but face competition from Tottenham – who are also rivaling them in the chase for Manchester City stopper Dunne.

And there will be more to follow, with Chile striker Humberto Suaza another striker linked with a switch to the Stadium of Light.

Efforts to bring in new players have been helped by the returns

from holiday of both Bruce and new head of recruitment Ricky Sbragia, who will oversee the efforts of Sunderland’s expanded network of scouts.

And the start of pre-season training, which began yesterday after a day of medical assessments on Wednesday, has also prompted fresh enthusiasm from the Black Cats chairman.

He has been working closely with Bruce over the summer and believes that the manager can be trusted in the transfer market.

“Thanks to Ellis Short’s money we can go for a home-based player further up the list than in the past but we’re not going to let go of the contacts he’s made,” Quinn said. “We’ve imported some of the systems that he’s used up until now and they are working really well.