SUNDERLAND are being priced out of the market in their hunt for Norwegian starlet Morten Gamst Pedersen.

Pedersen has been watched by Mick McCarthy and the Black Cats boss has weighed up whether to make a move for the striker, who can also play on the wing.

The 22-year-old has frequently admitted that he would like to try his luck in England and would prefer to go to a club where he is guaranteed first team football.

Blackburn have already had a £1.5m bid for Pedersen rejected and his employers, Tromso, have pushed up the asking price to nearer £2.5m.

And while that would seem to rule out Sunderland, who still have debts of around £36m despite massive improvements in their financial position, Blackburn are ready to up their bid.

Rovers chief executive John Williams said: "We have indicated verbally what sort of bid we would make but they have to indicate that they would sell him now.

"We can't wait until October for him to be released so discussions are continuing. We've seen Pedersen no fewer than eight times so we've been doing our homework.

"But they will have to sell him now and then we'll follow up with a formal bid."

Pedersen has also been tracked by Newcastle and he has previously had a trial at Middlesbrough.

Meanwhile, Northern Echo SPORT understands that Leeds United are only lukewarm on the prospect of signing released Sunderland midfielder Jason McAteer.

New Elland Road boss Kevin Blackwell has drawn up a list of cheap targets as he bids to slash the club's wage bill while planning an assault on Division One next season.

McAteer, available on a free, is on that list but Blackwell is believed to have only enlisted the Republic of Ireland international as part of a back up plan.

The former Liverpool and Bolton star has been one of the players sacrificed at the Stadium of Light following Sunderland's failure to clinch promotion to the Premiership. McAteer has also been considered by Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion.

Blackwell is poised to make QPR defender Clarke Carlisle his second signing of the summer.

The 24-year-old is available on a free transfer and is due to undergo a medical later this week.

Clarke made 33 appearances for the Loftus Road club last season as they finished second in Division Two.

Blackwell's first signing was Danny Pugh, who joined as part of the deal which took Alan Smith to Manchester United.

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