Cats close to transfer breakthrough

Jul 24 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

STEVE Bruce has confirmed his interest in Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh as he hinted Sunderland are close to making a major breakthrough in the transfer market.

Chamakh has been a long-term target of Bruce’s, while his interest in Tottenham Hotpsur’s Darren Bent has never gone away this summer, despite the failed attempt to sign Peter Crouch from Portsmouth last week.

And, with Niall Quinn back from holiday, Sunderland’s manager feels significant progress could be made while the Black Cats are playing in the Amsterdam Tournament.

Sunderland play Benfica tonight before taking on Atletico Madrid on Sunday, although Bruce does not believe this will have any effect on the attempts to bolster his attacking options before the start of the new season.

He said: “We’ve still got one or two irons in the fire like we’ve had for weeks. We’d all love them to be in by now, but it hasn’t quite been possible. We’re still trying and we’re close, in particular to one deal being done over the next couple of days.

“But after what has happened this week with Peter Crouch, I don’t want to say too much. That was a massive disappointment and you can never say yes, the deal is done, until everything has been done.” Chamakh has already claimed in the French media that talks with Sunderland are at an advanced stage and Bruce made no attempt to distance himself from the proposed move.

He explained: “Chamakh is a player I’ve liked for a long, long time. We have shown an interest and we’ll see what develops with that.