Sunderland head into tomorrow night's Amsterdam Tournament clash with Benfica as their efforts to sign a striker hot up.

With manager Steve Bruce having put the Peter Crouch saga behind him, the Black Cats have now turned their attention to alternative targets, and Bordeaux frontman Marouane Chamakh has hinted a move could be completed soon after Arsenal's interest failed to materialise amid competition from Sunderland, Blackburn, Tottenham and Fulham.
He reportedly told French radio: "I have told Bordeaux I need to go there. I want to play in the Premier League and Sunderland is a good challenge for me.

"I didn't mind waiting, but as far as Arsenal are concerned, it has taken too long, unlike Sunderland.

"I could have waited, but Bordeaux wanted this response quickly, so I could not do it any other way."

Chamakh, who has rejected the offer of a new contract at Bordeaux, is also a target for Lyon, but seems intent on a move to the Barclays Premier League.

He is not Sunderland's only target, however, with Darren Bent's name still high on Bruce's list.
His club Tottenham are actively engaged in the race for Crouch's signature after he indicated he did not want to move to Wearside, but they could do with the proceeds of Bent's departure after yesterday sealing a joint swoop for Sheffield United youngsters Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker while needing defensive cover for Jonathan Woodgate.

The Black Cats will hope their urgency means they are prepared to do a deal on Bent, with their initial valuation understood to be in excess of the £12million Sunderland offered for England international Crouch.

In the meantime, Bruce's men will step up their preparations for the new season in Amsterdam with goalkeeper Marton Fulop determined to make the most of Craig Gordon's continuing injury problems.
The 26-year-old Hungary international has himself missed the friendlies against Darlington and Portimonense with an Achilles problem, but is now raring to go.

Gordon's injury and the fact Darren Ward has retired and Nick Colgan left the club means they are short in that department, but Fulop has only one thing on his mind.

He told the Sunderland Echo: "I know the goalkeeping situation is a concern for the club, but it is no concern of mine.

"My only focus is to do the best I can do and look to establish myself as the club's number one goalkeeper.

"Last season, I played a lot of Premier League games for Sunderland and my aim is to make sure that happens again.

"I have to concentrate purely on myself and doing the very best I can for this club."