Sunderland boss desperate for new striker
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce today revealed his desperation to bring in a new striker to his English Premier League squad before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month.
Kenwyne Jones moved to Stoke City for an eight million pound fee last week and the Black Cats have not yet found a replacement for the 25-year-old Trinidad and Tobago international.
Goalscoring pressure
With Jones gone, the brunt of the goalscoring pressure has fallen upon Darren Bent who already has one goal to his name this season after scoring 25 last term. Bruce has 19-year-old on-loan Manchester United starlet Danny Welbeck and 20-year-old Martyn Waghorn as cover for Bent and Fraizer Campbell.
After winning just one point from Sunderland’s two opening league fixtures, Bruce said that he is eager to add to the firepower in the striking department. He told the Daily Star that: "It's absolutely paramount that I replace Kenwyne Jones. I've got to do it. We've got a couple of young lads in Danny Welbeck and Martyn Waghorn who will play their part, but they are young boys. I would not want to get to the end of the window without another striker here."
Primary targets?
Bruce’s primary targets are believed to be Carlton Cole and Asamoah Gyan. The Daily Mail reported that he is ready to make a bid for Cole, who is rated at £15m by his club West Ham United as Avram Grant looks to raise funds to improve his squad. Meanwhile, Ghana’s 2010 FIFA World Cup star Gyan is rated at £12m by his club Rennes, but according to Sky Sports Sunderland have not yet reached that valuation for the 24-year-old.
However, Bruce would not be drawn on any specific targets, saying only that: “We have one or two irons in the fire, but unfortunately nothing is imminent.”
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