Black Cats hot on Chile strike ace.

Byline: STEVE BROWN

SUNDERLAND are tracking Chilean hot-shot Humberto Suazo, according to sources in South and Central America.

And on the day the Black Cats bid farewell to a host of outof-contract players, the Chronicle also understands they have offered a trial to French international striker Bryan Bergougnoux.

Suazo was the world's leading scorer in top-flight football in 2006, when he netted 38 goals in 44 games for Chilean giants Colo Colo before joining Mexican side Monterrey.

Nicknamed 'Chupete' and likened to Wayne Rooney, he has 13 strikes in 37 internationals.

Suazo has been linked with Newcastle - as well as Tottenham and Marseille - in the past, while Galatasaray and Everton are thought to have run more recent checks on the 28year-old. However, Steve Bruce's scouting contacts in the region could put him in pole position for Suazo, whose pounds 5m valuation should not represent a problem.

Nonetheless, the Stadium of Light club are also pursuing cheaper options, with free agent Bergougnoux thought to have been offered the chance to spend pre-season on Wearside after being released by Toulouse.

The 25-year-old - who has four caps for Les Bleus - has a three-year contract offer from Russian outfit Rubin Kazan, as well as invitations to train with Birmingham and Bolton Wanderers. Sunderland's own released players officially became free agents themselves today, but while Peter Hartley has joined Hartlepool and Darren Ward looks set to follow him as Chris Turner's new goalkeeping coach, the futures of Dwight Yorke, David Connolly, Arnau Riera, Nick Colgan and Niall McArdle remain unresolved.

Two strikers 'retained' by the Black Cats but also on their way are Michael Chopra, who today signed for Cardiff City in a pounds 3m deal, and Anthony Stokes, who seems set to replace new Burnley signing Steven Fletcher at Hibernian. Stokes played under new Easter Road manager John Hughes when he was boss at Falkirk.

Sunderland continue to be credited with an interest in Newcastle's Habib Beye, Manchester United striker Fraizer Campbell and Lee Cattermole of Wigan, though moves for any of these would be protracted ones at best.

Meanwhile, reports in the south claim ex-Black Cats boss Roy Keane is planning to raid his former club in an attempt to lure Nyron Nosworthy and Carlos Edwards to Ipswich Town.

CAPTION(S):

CATS TARGET: Suazo

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