Sunderland boss Bruce confident of beating Spurs and Fulham to Crouch

20 July 2009 11:36
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is still confident he will land Peter Crouch, despite late interest from Tottenham. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is a big admirer of the 6ft 7in striker and he is reported to have entered the chase for the England striker. Redknapp worked with Crouch at Portsmouth and Southampton and he admitted over the weekend that he would like to be reunited with him at White Hart Lane. Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is also interested and will be looking to spend the £5 million from Bobby Zamora's £5 million move to Hull City, which is expected to go through in the next 48 hours. But so far only Sunderland have matched Pompey's £12 million asking price and Bruce met Crouch for talks last week and he is willing to match his £70,000-a-week wage demands. Bruce said: 'We're happy to have agreed a fee with Portsmouth and happy that Peter came up to talk to us about the move. 'We've given it our best shot in terms of trying to convince him that Sunderland and the North East is the right place for him, the right club for him at the right time. 'And in that sense, we're content that we've done our jobs. Now all we can do is  just leave it with him and let him decide. 'I'm convinced that moving to Sunderland would be a great move for him and he would be a great signing for us and I remain hopeful because I'm excited about what we could do with him. 'We won't push him for a decision because it's up to him to make his mind up when he's thought things over. 'But I would expect that we'll probably have some information on how things stand very soon. Something could easily happen in the next 24 hours.' Although Bruce is positive, Crouch is believed to prefer a move to London and is waiting to see whether Spurs and Fulham will match Sunderland's offer. Redknapp is certainly interested, but may not have the finances to add another striker to his squad after splashing out for Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe in January. Redknapp added: `It seems Portsmouth want to sell and if that is the case, Peter is a player I'm definitely interested in. 'He has played for me twice before and I know what a good player he is. 'I have not spoken to Peter Storrie, the executive chairman at Pompey, and there are other clubs involved but it seems like a bit of a free -for-all. 'I'm looking to make one or two signings and he is someone I would love to bring in.' Meanwhile Bruce has said he has no interest in Crystal Palace full-back Nathaniel Clyne, despite being linked with a £3 million bid.

Source: Daily_Mail