SUNDERLAND striker Michael Reddy is at the centre of a three-club chase after Northampton emerged as rivals to Sheffield Wednesday and Hull for the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international.

Northampton, who have joined Hull in Division Three following relegation last season, are understood to have matched the Tigers' £100,000 offer for 23-year-old Reddy. Cash-strapped Wednesday manager Chris Turner, who took Reddy on an extended loan last season, had hoped he would be freed by crisis club Sunderland, even though he still has a year to run on his contract.

Reddy scored three goals during his spell at Hillsborough and former Sunderland goalkeeper Turner is refusing to concede defeat in his bid to secure a permanent deal.

Despite suffering relegation themselves, Wednesday can offer Reddy Division Two status.

"It's not dead in the water just because other clubs have made bids,'' insisted former Hartlepool boss Turner.

"It does make it a bit more difficult for us, but I'm led to believe Michael wants to come to Sheffield Wednesday.''

Reddy was also loaned to Hull two seasons ago and has had similar stints with Swindon, Barnsley and York.

Northampton, who finished bottom of Division Two, have new financial backers and this week had a £400,000 bid for striker Luke Beckett turned down by Stockport.

The Cobblers are also hoping to sign former Sunderland midfielder Martin Smith, who is available on a free from Huddersfield and has been strongly linked with a return to his native Wearside.

l Harry Kewell will not ''chase money'' as he currently weighs up his future options, writes IAN PARKES.

Agent Bernie Mandic believes the sought-after Leeds star, at present the subject of constant speculation as he has a year remaining on his contract, would have joined Manchester United by now if all that mattered was the size of his pay cheque.

While Kewell has long been linked with United, Arsenal have appeared to lead the chase due to manager Arsene Wenger's stated interest in the Australia international. And Mandic said: "The bottom line is that we have not ruled out extending his Leeds contract."