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SUNDERLAND will open talks with Darren Bent early next week - after Steve Bruce's appointment boosted the Black Cats' pull in the transfer market.

The Tottenham striker has been a long-term target at the Stadium of Light, where a front man has become the priority after Djibril Cisse's departure.

But Bent - available for less than the £18m widely reported - was reluctant to move to Wearside while Roy Keane and Ricky Sbragia were managers.

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NIALL Quinn is not predicting a major overhaul of the Sunderland squad as new manager Steve Bruce looks to tinker with the side following last season's unexpected brush with relegation.

Quinn insists he is relaxed about the Black Cats' lack of progress in the transfer market so far this summer, as he warned fans not to expect large numbers of new arrivals.

Although the Wearsiders are looking to strengthen in every area of the side, a new centre-back, a creative midfielder and a centre-forward are their main priority, with the first team due to return for pre-season training in just under a week's time. And Sunderland's chairman believes it will be the character of the players, as much as their talent, which will determine whether they are signed by Bruce.

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SOL CAMPBELL has issued a 'come and get me' plea to Sunderland.

The ex-England star is out of contract at managerless Portsmouth, where he is reluctant to extend his stay while Sulaiman Al Fahim's proposed takeover remains in doubt.

Considering several offers, the 34-year-old is seeking a stable club and, in further encouragement to the Black Cats, is engaged to Fiona Barrett - granddaughter of Geordie property tycoon Sir Laurie Barrett and heiress to his Barrett Homes empire - with whom he has recently been spotted house- hunting in Northumberland.

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SUNDERLAND have been served warning that disposing of unwanted squad members could prove difficult after pricing Anthony Stokes out of joining Hibernian.

Phase two of the Black Cats' clear-out got under way yesterday with official confirmation of Michael Chopra's departure to Cardiff City. But Sunderland's refusal to let Stokes return to the Scottish Premier League on another loan has scared off a club who rate the Republic of Ireland international highly but can not get close to matching his wages.

It could become something of a theme as manager Steve Bruce's attempts to prune his squad are hindered by the generous wage policy of the Drumaville era.

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SUNDERLAND are tracking Chilean hot-shot Humberto Suazo, according to sources in South and Central America.

And on the day the Black Cats bid farewell to a host of out-of-contract players, the Chronicle also understands they have offered a trial to French international striker Bryan Bergougnoux.

Suazo was the world's leading scorer in top-flight football in 2006, when he netted 38 goals in 44 games for Chilean giants Colo Colo before joining Mexican side Monterrey.

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STEVE Bruce will this week step up his attempts to sign Lee Cattermole and Fraizer Campbell now the pair's seasons have finally come to an end.

Both were part of the England Under-21 squad which reached the final of the European Championships in Sweden on Monday.

Bruce signed midfielder Cattermole for Wigan last summer and came close to landing forward Campbell on loan. Both are thought to figure prominently on his shopping list 12 months on.

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SUNDERLAND today suffered a double blow in the transfer market - after Kevin Doyle joined Wolves and Rangers issued a 'hands off' warning over Steven Davis.

The Black Cats were thought to be in pole position to land Reading striker Doyle, with the Molineux club and Bolton also keen but behind Sunderland in the queue.

However, the Republic of Ireland international was set to be unveiled as a Wolves player earlier today - teaming up with former Stadium of Light boss Mick McCarthy - after a fee of around £6m was agreed with the Royals.

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NIALL Quinn has never planned to fail as Sunderland chairman, but he will also never fail to plan for the worst as the Black Cats look to finally establish themselves as a Premier League force.

Quinn is hoping the appointment of Steve Bruce as the Wearsiders go into their third successive season in the top flight will ensure they no longer have to spend the majority of the campaign fearing relegation.

However, despite Sunderland's ambition, Quinn will not suddenly start to operate beyond his means as he refuses to put the club's long-term future at risk pursuing unrealistic objectives.

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SUNDERLAND have been linked with an audacious bid to land Barcelona star Eidur Gudjohnsen.

Sources in Spain claim the Black Cats are tracking the Icelandic international, along with Aston Villa, West Ham, Everton and Fulham.

The 30-year-old has grown frustrated at his lack of first-team outings at the Nou Camp, where Samuel Eto'o, Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi regularly fill the striking berths and even as an attacking midfielder, Gudjohnsen finds himself behind Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

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ANTHONY Stokes' disappointing Sunderland career is set to draw to a close with a loan move to Hibernian.

Black Cats manager Steve Bruce wants at least two attacking reinforcements, and The Journal understands that he is close to striking deals for Spurs forward Darren Bent and Hull City striker Fraizer Campbell - also a target for Newcastle.

That spells the end for Sunderland's forgotten man Stokes, who is already way down the pecking order and in desperate need of first-team football after two seasons as a bit part player.

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