Bruce has Cabanas interest

Cabanas: Wanted

Cabanas is a fantastic player, whether it's possible, I'm not quite sure.

Steve Bruce
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

• Sunderland

Also see

• Sky Sports experts
• Transfer Centre
• Fantasy Football
• Sky Sports Twitter

Sunderland chief Steve Bruce has confirmed his interest in signing Paraguayan star Salvador Cabanas.

However, his club Mexican America - have told Bruce to forget about making a move for him during the January transfer window.

Bruce is well versed in the North, Central and South American markets and has a wealth of contacts and scouts in the region.

His latest target has emerged as highly-rated striker Cabanas, who has over 40 caps to his name for Paraguay and is pivotal player for his country.

The 29-year-old is also a key figure as well for America, who he has played for since 2006, and Bruce admits that Cabanas would be a great signing.

"I've monitored Cabanas," said the Sunderland manager.

"You know I've had a little contact in South America.

"Cabanas is a fantastic player, whether it's possible, I'm not quite sure.

"He's somebody who would be of interest but I'm sure if he became available, there'd be lots more interest too."

No sale

But news of Bruce's interest in Cabanas, who has also been linked with Wigan, has reached Mexico, and America's president Michel Bauer has been quick to rule out a sale.

"We don't know anything, whether they will put a lot of money on the table or not, the priority in Latin America is not Sunderland," stated Bauer.

"I will not talk about it (from Sunderland) because it is always the same issue and while we say nothing absolutely nothing. When you get (a proposal) we will discuss it and we will gladly tell them what they think.

"But Salvador is very happy with the team. He will continue with us.

"He is very happy with us and we are with him. We are not interested in loaning or transferring him."

However, one of Cabanas' agents, Jose Maria Gonzalez, says he needs to talk with America about Sunderland's interest.

"We will speak about the interest in Salvador," Gonzalez told Cronica Da Hoy.

"We have spoken about Sunderland and we need to ask whether he will go to England or stay in Mexico."