Redknapp eyes up Sunderland’s top targets (From The Northern Echo)

Redknapp eyes up Sunderland’s top targets

8:57am Tuesday 7th July 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp is hoping to deal Sunderland a double blow by scuppering the Black Cats’ moves for both Peter Crouch and Paulo Da Silva.

With Sunderland’s players due to return to pre-season training tomorrow, new boss Steve Bruce had been hoping to unveil two new signings ahead of the club’s opening pre-season fixture at Darlington next Thursday.

Those signings were intended to be striker Crouch and defender Da Silva, with Bruce having tabled a £14m offer for the former and talked terms with the latter after his release from Mexican club Deportivo Toluca.

However, both deals are now in jeopardy after Redknapp stepped up his own attempts to sign the duo.

The Spurs boss, who formed a close bond with Crouch during his own time at Fratton Park, is targeting the England international as the ideal replacement for Darren Bent and Roman Pavlyuchenko, both of whom are expected to leave White Hart Lane this summer.

Sources in London claim Redknapp is yet to table a formal bid for Crouch, but claim he has spoken to Pompey officials to confirm his interest in the centre-forward.

Crouch’s situation is complicated by Sulaiman Al- Fahim’s ongoing attempts to buy Portsmouth, but with the former Liverpool, Southampton and Aston Villa striker having outlined his unhappiness at recent events on the south coast, there is little chance of him starting the season in a Portsmouth shirt.

Bruce is desperate to lure him to Wearside, and if last weekend’s £14m bid was to be accepted it would represent a £5m increase on Sunderland’s current transfer record.

It still might not be enough though, with Redknapp also prepared to commit an eightfigure fee to Crouch’s capture.

The Spurs boss has made the marksman one of his leading summer targets, with Da Silva also featuring on his wanted list despite Sunderland’s ongoing attempts to sign the Paraguayan centrehalf.

Da Silva is due to travel to England before the end of the week, but while he is scheduled to meet with Sunderland officials to discuss a proposed three-year deal, Redknapp is hoping to persuade him to visit north London to hear what Tottenham have to say.

“I have been offered a threeyear contract with a team you already know about – Sunderland – but I’m now waiting an on offer from another English team,” said Da Silva.

“I’m sure in the next few days I will know who I’m going to sign for. I have to stop off in Paraguay to solve some visa problems, then I will meet with people in England to see what is the best thing for me.”

■ Tickets for Sunderland’s pre-season friendly against Darlington on Thursday, July 16 are on general sale. Tickets are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for juniors and can be bought in person, or over the phone from the Stadium of Light ticket office on 0871 911 1973.

■ Sunderland reserves will play a pre-season friendly at Unibond Premier League club Guiseley on Tuesday, August 4 (7.45pm).