Sunderland hopeful of sealing move for Asamoah Gyan

Sunderland are hoping to sign Asamoah Gyan, the Ghana striker from Rennes before Tuesday's closure of the transfer window.

Steve Bruce, is seeking a target man to replace Kenywne Jones, and is currently pursuing three players with Gyan understood to be his preferred option. The only potential stumbling block is that Rennes want £15m and Sunderland are reluctant to pay more than around £10m.

"We were close to something last week, it didn't happen but we are hopeful now," said Bruce whose side are at home to Manchester City on Sunday. "If we don't get another striker in we would be gambling but, with some of the prices flying around it's a crazy market. There either seems to be no market or the prices are astronomical.

"The big problem managers find is, unless you are Man City, banks are not lending and not letting clubs have overdrafts. If it wasn't for City this summer, it would have been the quietest window I have ever known."

Bruce knows Sunderland fans are critical of his decision to sell Jones to Stoke. "It was a big, big call to sell Kenywne," acknowledged a manager priced out of the race for the Wigan midfielder Charles N'Zogbia. "I know I need a replacement but I have always tried to get decent value for money and it seems now there is a market which has become ridiculous.

"Look at N'Zogbia. He is going to cost £9m but I signed him for Wigan from Newcastle for £6m. Is he any better now? I would have loved to have brought him here now but he was too expensive."