Source: SKY_Sports
Bruce confirms Crouch talks
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has confirmed his interest in Peter Crouch, but says a fee has not yet been agreed with Portsmouth.
Crouch only joined Pompey last summer from Liverpool, but is expected to leave Fratton Park before the start of the season.
He had been strongly linked with a move to Fulham, while reports have also claimed Sunderland have agreed a £12million deal for the England international.
However, while Bruce acknowledged his admiration for the 28-year-old, he admitted talks have still to bring about an agreement.
"He is a player I have admired for a very long time and I suppose a lot of managers do exactly the same thing," said Bruce.
"As we speak at this particular moment, we are in discussions with the club.
"As far as I am aware - and I've just come off the training ground - we are in discussions with the club and that's as far as it is at the moment.
"But the discussions have been going on now for a few weeks.
"We hope we can try to put something together because he would be the type of player of course that would signal our intention of the way we want to take the football club forward."
However, asked directly if a fee had been agreed, Bruce replied: "I don't understand that just yet, but I have just come off the training ground.
"I haven't been told anything to the contrary. I will be getting back to work in the next couple of hours and we'll see.
"I know discussions at high levels were going on late last night, so we'll see and I'll be able to tell you more in the next 24 hours."
Crouch scored 16 goals in 49 appearances for Pompey last season, starting every Premier League match in the process, but his agent revealed last week that he is available for the right price.
