GLASGOW Rangers captain Lorenzo Amoruso is close to signing a five-year deal to join Sunderland.

The Italian central defender flew to England last week for secret talks with Wearside boss Peter Reid and on his return to Italy said: "It is not an easy decision to make but we are close, that's for sure."

Amoruso had earlier said he was happy to stay with Rangers after Sunderland had agreed a £3m deal with the Scottish giants.

But clearly Amoruso's relationship with the Glasgow club, who paid £5m for the 29-year-old defender, has soured.

Amoruso admitted: "It has reached the stage now where I have to forget about Rangers because they have done nothing to keep me and have brought in a new player for my position.

"It is a difficult situation for me to understand because it was always my intention to stay.

"But now I have to think about what is best for Lorenzo."

Reid made it clear last month that he had no intention of travelling to Italy to speak to the player, but the impasse was bridged when Amoruso agreed to make the journey to England instead.

And the Italian said: "I have spoken to Sunderland and they left me with a good feeling about the organisation of the club, the team and the manager.

"They want to do great things and are very ambitious - just like me."

He added: "I have told Sunderland my requirments but as yet we have not agreed anything - maybe it will take a week or ten days for them to think about it and decide if they want to come closer to me."

Amoruso, who has helped Rangers win five trophies in his two years with the club seems resigned to moving on.

He explained: "I went to see Sunderland because it is important for me to understand my choices.

"If I am to leave Rangers and play for another club, then I need to know everything about where I might be going."

He added: "Sunderland are interested in me and if they step forward towards what I want then it should be much easier for me to make up my mind."

l Sunderland are expected to complete the £250,000 signing of 21-year-old Belgian midfielder Tom Peeters from Mechelen this week.