Sunderland Football Club News

• Nickname:Black Cats
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Martin O'Neill

• Ground:Stadium of light
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Black Cats out of Nugent race

02 Jul 2007 - 17:48:18

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Everton have emerged as the favourites to sign Preston North End striker David Nugent after Sunderland decided to withdraw their offer for the England international.

The Black Cats agreed a substantial undisclosed fee with the Championship side for the former Bury forward over a month ago, but will now look elsewhere to strengthen their squad.

Chief executive Peter Walker told Sunderland's official website: "I can confirm that we've withdrawn our offer for the player.

"Naturally, work continues behind the scenes to strengthen our squad ahead of the new season and talks are on-going with a number of targets."

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn had been upbeat about his side's chances of landing Nugent last week, telling Sky Sports News: "We're one of two clubs, we believe, who have agreed a fee for the player, and he's gone away on holiday to think about it.

"We hope he will come back with the right decision. We will just have to wait and see.

"Would it be 50-50? It must be. The paper reports have been fairly accurate - not all of them - but we'll see.

"He needs a bit of time. He's been playing football all the while. He came home and, a day later, his whole career had to be decided.

"He's gone off to have a little break and we'll see how he gets on with that."

The 22-year-old has scored 37 goals in 107 appearances for Preston following his transfer from Bury in January 2005.