Sunderland manager Roy Keane was today stepping up his search for a top-class striker.
It is understood Keane, who yesterday withdrew the club's offer for Preston's David Nugent, then turned his attention to Tottenham hitman Jermain Defoe.
However, after being given no encouragement by the player, he is having to think again.
Defoe's position has been thrown into some doubt by Darren Bent's £16.5million arrival at White Hart Lane from Charlton, although that was not enough for the Black Cats to prise him away.
Keane is adamant he only wants players in his squad who show 100% commitment to the cause, and will now focus on his remaining targets in a bid to find the firepower to make the impact in the Barclays Premier League he craves.
He recruited David Connolly, Dwight Yorke and Stern John last season, and the emergence of Daryl Murphy proved key in his side's victorious Coca-Cola Championship campaign.
However, he is acutely aware of the need for proven top-flight quality in front of goal and armed with a transfer kitty of around £25million, is determined to add to his current crop of frontmen.
Sunderland have been linked with Keane's former Manchester United team-mate Alan Smith in the past, although derby rivals Middlesbrough are still waiting for positive news on a man who has repeatedly voiced his wish to remain at Old Trafford.
Diego Forlan's move to Atletico Madrid from Villarreal drew a line under perhaps the Black Cats' most ambitious target, while Heerenveen's Afonso Alves has also been mentioned in dispatches.
Keane has so far made two summer signings - Reading full-back Greg Halford and Aberdeen skipper Russell Anderson - at a total cost of £4million.
