Bruce: We have to be adventurous in transfer market

Manager Steve Bruce has admitted that Sunderland must be creative and adventurous in identifying transfer targets this summer, because of the inflated prices for British and European players.

“Now in the Premier League, or in England, or in Europe, it’s very, very expensive and very difficult,” said Bruce. “So we’ve got to be a little adventurous.”

Bruce paid tribute to the smaller South American teams in the recent World Cup, saying that he has been keeping a close eye on the progress of individual players in countries such as Paraguay and Uruguay.

“Of course, everybody can catch your eye if you play for Brazil or Argentina or Spain,” said Bruce.

“You’ve got to sometimes be a little bit more creative, so we’ve taken notice of the smaller teams. We signed (Paraguay midfielder Cristian) Riveros months before the World Cup, and he had a terrific World Cup.”