ALBANIA international Igli Tare emerged last night as the latest subject of Peter Reid's Search for a Striker.

As Sunderland's move for Tore Andre Flo hit an impasse, Reid switched his attentions to Tare, who plays for Italian club Brescia.

The Sunderland manager first pondered a move for Tare last September, but with the August 31 transfer deadline looming Reid is desperate to bring in a proven goalscorer.

Tare, 29, has been available since the end of last season and is wanted by a posse of clubs - including Bolton Wanderers, managed by Reid's best friend Sam Allardyce, Chievo, Palermo and Venezia.

He is likely to cost no more than £4m and personal demands would not pose a problem to the Stadium of Light moneymen.

Tare was a disappointment for Brescia last season, scoring just six goals in 28 appearances for the Serie A club.

He has been told he does not figure in their plans for the forthcoming campaign and that he will be a peripheral figure at a club that also has Roberto Baggio and Pavel Srnicek among its playing staff.

Brescia director of football Mauro Pederzoli said: "Tare is on the transfer list but we haven't received any offers for him yet."

Tare, who played for Albania against England at St James' Park in September 2001, suffered a slight head injury a bruised wrist in a car crash with former Ipswich Town goalkeeper Matteo Sereni three weeks ago but has now fully recovered.

Reid is eyeing Tare, who joined Brescia from German club Kaiserslautern at the start of last year, after admitting defeat in his bid to prise Zlatan Ibrahimovic away from Ajax.

Ibrahimovic decided Champions League football with the Dutch giants was a more appealing prospect than the chance to link up with Kevin Phillips at the Stadium of Light.

Ibrahimovic's agent Anders Carlsson confirmed what his client said in yesterday's Northern Echo Sport when he said: "I have to deny that Zlatan is going to Sunderland.

"Anything can happen but Zlatan is now happy at Ajax and wants to stay there."

And Ajax technical director Leo Beenhakker said: "We don't want to lose Zlatan.

"Firstly, for sporting reasons, and secondly because the offer was less than we would like if he were to leave.

"We have just started the new season and it won't be possible to get a new striker in."

At 6'3", Tare would be the ideal replacement for Niall Quinn, who is winding down his playing career this season and has taken up a player-coach role.

Reid's attempts to sign a striker before the transfer window closes next Saturday are getting increasingly frenetic.

He is keen on Flo but the Norwegian is happy at Rangers, even though the Ibrox club are keen to reduce their wage bill.

Michael Mols, who trained with Sunderland last week before returning to Glasgow, is also available but a deal for him could also not take place.

To further compound Reid's agony at missing out on Robbie Keane last month, the Leeds United forward scored for the Republic of Ireland against Finland last night.

Whoever Reid decides is his No.1 target, he will struggle to bring in another striker before Saturday's home game with Everton.

However, midfielder Matthew Piper should make his debut against the Blues after completing his £3.5m transfer from Leicester City yesterday.

Piper, 20, signed a five-deal deal to join Phil Babb, Stephen Wright, Thomas Myhre and Sean Thornton in moving to Wearside since the end of last season.

Reid said: "I have been monitoring the player since last season. He has great pace to go past players and get crosses in."

Piper, who had a loan spell at Mansfield last season, added: "I am very happy to be joining Sunderland. I came on as a sub for Leicester last season at the Stadium of Light when Sunderland won the match and the atmosphere was tremendous. It's an exciting move for me."

Piper's arrival was greeted warmly by Martyn McFadden, editor of Sunderland fanzine A Love Supreme.

He said: "We've definitely needed a right midfielder for some time, so hopefully Piper will be the answer to our prayers.

"The club need to start repaying the fans' faith. The signings of Piper and Stephen Wright are a good start".

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