Steve Bruce upbeat as Crouch ponders move

Jul 21 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

PETER Crouch’s agent Jonathan Barnett has revealed that the England striker was “impressed” by Sunderland and Steve Bruce – and that the club remain in the running to sign the Portsmouth front man.

Weekend reports suggested that Tottenham’s interest in Crouch had dealt Sunderland’s chances of signing him a fatal blow, but both Bruce and the player’s representative Barnett have rebutted those claims over the last 48 hours.

Speaking to The Journal, Barnett confirmed that Bruce had done an “excellent job” of selling his vision of Sunderland to the England forward, and denied that his client had already decided to join Spurs. But although Sunderland have offered to make Crouch the most highly-paid player in the history of the club, location remains the biggest barrier to the Black Cats completing a club record £12million deal.

Crouch (pictured right) has promised to make a decision by the end of the week. Barnett laughed off reports that Sunderland had offered £90,000-a-week to entice Crouch as “ridiculous” – although The Journal understands the club are offering more money than either Fulham or Spurs.

“We had a very, very good

meeting with Sunderland and Peter liked it very much and was impressed with Steve Bruce,” Barnett confirmed.

“Now it is just a case of going away and thinking about it. There is obviously other interest but it was a good meeting over at Sunderland.

“What I will say is that some of the (wage) figures being bandied about are ridiculous.”

Originally the Sunderland boss had hoped for an answer over the weekend but Tottenham’s interest – and Harry Redknapp’s depressingly familiar decision to go public in his pursuit of the England forward – has complicated matters.

Bruce may turn to Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh, already a target for Arsenal, if the Crouch deal falls through, but he was remaining upbeat.