SUNDERLAND are attempting to follow up the capture of Reading's Greg Halford with the high-profile acquisition of Manchester United and England striker Alan Smith.
Roy Keane finally made inroads on his summer transfer targets yesterday when Halford completed a £3m switch from the Madejski Stadium by signing a four-year contract.
But, after adding the versatile right-sided player to his squad, the Sunderland manager has high hopes that the addition of the former England Under-20 international will be just the start of many signings this summer.
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Despite Halford's potential, Keane will be the first to admit that he will be looking to add more established top-flight names to his playing staff before the start of the new Premiership campaign on August 11.
And Smith, who could be made available by Sir Alex Ferguson if the right deal comes along, is high on Keane's list of targets.
The 26-year-old has made no secret of his desire to make a success of his career at Old Trafford but, with Ferguson in the market for at least one new forward, he realises opportunities could be limited next season.
If an agreement can be reached over a fee for the Yorkshireman then Smith will take his time in assessing his options, and will want to listen to Keane's ambitions for the Wearsiders.
The former Leeds striker would be reluctant to leave a title-winning club for one struggling to make an impact in the top tier, although Smith regards Keane highly and expects him to deliver success.
The two were team-mates at United and shared similar fiery natures as footballers before Keane retired at the end of the 2005-06 season.
Keane also has Preston's David Nugent in his sights to spearhead Sunderland's first season back in the Premiership but he looks to have been priced out of a move for Diego Forlan.
It has emerged Liverpool, unwilling to match the £35m fees being quoted for Samuel Eto'o and David Villa, may have to lower their sights and are considering meeting the £16m valuation of Forlan.
But Keane, who recently ended a two-week residential course as he pushes towards his UEFA Pro Licence qualification, will be confident that more will follow his first summer recruit.
The arrival of Halford brought to an end a long pursuit of the 22-year-old, who first attracted Keane's attention when he played for Colchester in the Championship last season.
The 6ft 5in right-back, who can also play as a winger and possesses a mammoth throw-in, impressed in the 3-1 win at Sunderland in November.
Keane was initially knocked back by the player, given there was interest from Premiership clubs, including Middlesbrough.
In the end, however, he moved to Reading in January for £2.5m from Layer Road. "The set up at Sunderland is phenomenal and I can't wait to get going. I've had a taste of the Premiership with Reading and I want more. It's made me more hungry," he said.
"Roy has been after me for a while. He wanted me to come on loan before Christmas and make a permanent move in January. He bided his time and I'm here."
In handing him a four-year deal, Keane feels Halford is one for the future as well as next season. Reading, however, are delighted to have made a £500,000 profit on a player who only made three appearances for the Royals.
Reading director of football Nicky Hammond said: "It's fair to say that Greg did not make the impact here that both he and ourselves would have liked.
"Sometimes in football, players do move on quite quickly if it's felt that the fit isn't quite right. But this is absolutely no reflection on Greg as a person or a player and he has been a very good professional with us.
"From a purely financial perspective, this is an excellent deal for us. Sunderland have pursued the player strongly and I'm sure he will do very well for them."
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