Crouch poised for £12m switch to Sunderland

The England and Portsmouth striker is wanted by Sunderland, Fulham and Tottenham (Getty)

Peter Crouch arrives on Wearside today to speak to the Sunderland manager, Steve Bruce, Sunderland having had a £12m offer for the 28 year-old England forward accepted by Portsmouth on Tuesday night.

Crouch is also wanted by Fulham and is due to meet their manager, Roy Hodgson, tomorrow but the indications are that Sunderland are favourites to sign Crouch. It would be a club record transfer fee for the Wearsiders.

There remains the possibility that Tottenham Hotspur could scupper a move but they are unwilling to match the £70,000 per week wages that Crouch will receive elsewhere.

Bruce sounded cautiously optimistic about Crouch yesterday. The manager also touched on Lee Cattermole, whom he tried to sign from his former club Wigan Athletic. Sunderland's £5m offer was rejected but Bruce said he had not given hope, before adding: "Contrary to reports, I've not put in an improved bid." Sunderland will have to raise their offer, though, if Wigan are to sell.

There also remains interest in Richard Dunne and Michael Dawson and, with Craig Gordon "a concern" in Bruce's words, there may also be a need to buy another goalkeeper.