Source: Daily_Mail
Sunderland drop interest in Crouch as Tottenham lurk in the shadows
Sunderland have ended their interest in Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch.
The Black Cats agreed personal terms with the 28-year-old when he travelled toWearside to meet manager Steve Bruce and discuss a proposed £12million lastThursday.
However, Sunderland have decided not to pursue the matter further, believingthe England international wants to remain in the south with Fulham and Tottenham also targeting him.
Bruce told the club's official website: 'Naturally this is hugely disappointing for us as Peter was one of our primary targets.
'I know he was impressed with the set up here when he came for talks, but it's simply a matter of geographical location and that's not something we can affect.
'What's pleasing however is that it shows the intent of the club going forward that we are trying to bring in players of his calibre, and we will continue topursue other targets.
'We have a number of irons in the fire at present and we will be looking to make several additions to our squad in the coming weeks.'
Today's development has simply confirmed Bruce's worst fears, and he will now turn his attention to alternative targets.
He remains on the trail of Bordeaux's Moroccan international striker Marouane Chamakh although Sunderland are one of several clubs, along with Arsenal, to belinked with the player, who has admitted even he is not convinced about theGunners' reported interest.
Meanwhile, Peter Crouch is now expected to move to Tottenham in the next few days despite reports he was offered more money at Sunderland.
It was thought the Black Cats were willing to pay the striker up to £80,000 a week to discourage him from making the move to north London in a £12m transfer.
Sunderland realised at the weekend that Spurs were leading the race for their prime target and were desperate to sway the England striker with the massive wage offer.
It is believed Spurs will offer him around £20,000 a week less but Crouch is ready to accept it because he is so keen to be reunited with manager Harry Redknapp.
The former Pompey boss wanted to sign Crouch in January but had to wait as the south coast club weren't keen to sell six months ago because they were struggling to stay in the Premier League.
Crouch enjoyed playing for Redknapp at both Southampton and Portsmouth and can't wait to work with him again.
The 28-year-old began his career as a Spurs trainee but failed to make the first team and was sold to Queens Park Rangers for just £60,000.
Crouch is said to be keen on a return to London, which gave Fulham some hope they could persuade him to come to Craven Cottage.
But it is understood that Spurs are now his preferred option and he is set to begin discussions over the move imminently.
With the futures of strikers Darren Bent and Roman Pavlyuchenko still uncertain, Spurs are also monitoring the availability of Real Madrid forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
The 25-year-old has been told he must decide today if he wants to join Stuttgart after the Germans agreed a £17m fee and personal terms nearly a week ago.
Much to the anger of Stuttgart, Huntelaar has been stalling over the deal as he remains desperate for a move to the Premier League and is hopeful for a more concrete proposal from Spurs or Arsenal, who are seeking to replace Emmanuel Adebayor.
Although interested in Huntelaar, both north London clubs are thought to be reluctant to meet Real's asking price with Crouch - for Spurs - and Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh - in Arsenal's case - now ahead on their respective target lists.
Spurs are also bracing themselves for a £10m bid from Aston Villa for midfielder Jermaine Jenas.
Redknapp is thought to be reluctant to sell but needs to raise funds to remodel his squad before the start of next season.