Bruce: Nico is Sunderland target

WANTED MAN ... Tottenham and Croatia's Niko Kranjcar.

STEVE Bruce has confirmed Tottenham ace Nico Kranjcar is on Sunderland’s radar after winger James McClean finalised his move to Wearside.

Ex-Derry City man McClean agreed a three-year contract at the Stadium of Light in a L350,000 deal yesterday.

Despite becoming Bruce’s 10th signing of the summer, McClean is earmarked as a player for the future, and will continue his development in the second string rather than being an immediate answer to the search for a left-sided midfielder.

Bruce persists in his pursuit of Manchester City outcast Craig Bellamy, with the former Newcastle man providing the flexibility to play on the left or as a striker.

But when asked about Kranjcar in a radio phone-in last night, he said: “He’s one we’re looking at.”

A loan move for Kranjcar is the most likely scenario after Dynamo Kiev were priced out of a permanent switch for the 26-year-old earlier in the summer, with Spurs asking for a fee in excess of L10m.

Despite the lofty price tag, Kranjcar, pictured, has started just 21 Premier League games in two years at White Hart Lane, and Spurs are willing to let the ex-Portsmouth man leave the club as they cut costs following their failure to qualify for the Champions League.