Cats boss turns his attention to Humberto Suazo

May 28 2010 by Steve Brown, The Journal

SUNDERLAND are continuing to monitor Humberto Suazo after Real Zaragoza were priced out of a deal for the Chilean striker.

But the Black Cats would be forced to part with £12million should they pursue their interest in the player – who is contracted to Mexican side Monterrey – and could face competition from Valencia and Boca Juniors for his services.

Steve Bruce boasts extensive contacts throughout Central and South America, and was credited with an interest in the 41-times-capped Suazo both last summer and during the latest transfer window.

Instead, the 29-year-old joined Spanish club Real Zaragoza on a five-month loan in January, and his six goals in 17 appearances helped the Primera Liga strugglers avoid relegation.

Suazo, who has hit an impressive 182 goals in 268 appearances in his club career, and Zaragoza were keen to make the move permanent when the loan ends on May 31, but a pre-arranged fee of around £8.5m was quickly increased to £12m, with Monterrey wary of the player’s

imminent participation at the World Cup – he is expected to be fit after a recent shoulder injury, despite missing Wednesday’s friendly against Israel – and the effect a string of impressive performances in South Africa could have on pushing up his price.

Outraged at the sudden increase, Zaragoza sporting manager Antonio Prieto demanded the Mexicans honour the original agreement for a player crowned the world’s top goalscorer by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics in 2006.

But Monterrey are holding out for the higher amount, and though the club’s vice president Luis Miguel Salvador yesterday insisted that “no information of an official offer” has been received, sources in Spain and Argentina claim Valencia and Boca Juniors are interested.