Sunderland in talks with Rennes over Gyan

Sunderland have opened transfer negotiations with Ligue 1 club Rennes over what is expected to be a club-record transfer for Ghana international Asamoah Gyan.

Black Cats officials are holding talks as they attempt to recruit a replacement for Kenwyne Jones, who joined Sunderland for £8 million earlier this month, ahead of Tuesday's transfer deadline.

Their need for new striker became more acute on Sunday when Fraizer Campbell, who had been partnering Darren Bent, suffered suspected knee ligament damage during the 1-0 Premier League victory over Manchester City.

After win at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland manager Steve Bruce said: "It's imperative that we try to bring a body in because we are a bit short there and if [Campbell] he is going to be missing for the next couple of months, which could be the situation, then we need to act if we possibly can."

Gyan, 24, an international colleague of on-loan defender John Mensah, was one of the stars of the World Cup finals and has been in Bruce's sights all summer.

Source: ESPN Soccernet