Sunderland boss Peter Reid is again on the trail of Rangers defender Lorenzo Amoruso but he still refuses to travel to Italy to talk to the 29-year-old stopper.

"I have no plans to fly out to Italy," was Reid's response yesterday to suggestions that the £3m deal is still on the boil.

Amoruso confirmed there had been renewed interest from the Wearsiders after Rangers accepted Sunderland's bid last month.

But it appears there is still some distance between the parties following Amoruso's insistence that Reid would have to make the trip to see him, rather than the other way around.

Amoruso, currently recovering following an ankle operation, has not ruled out a return to Rangers.

And while he would relish the chance to play in the Premiership, the Italian has never given the impression he is falling over himself to play for Sunderland.

When asked whether talks were still ongoing he said: "Yes, so what?"

Reid is almost certainly still in discussions with the player's agent. But he's likely to want assurances that Amoruso is 100 per cent fit before attempting to close the deal.

Skipper Amoruso joined Rangers from Fiorentina for £5m three years ago and the Scottish giants won't stand in his way if Reid's negotiations prove successful.

And sources in Scotland last night suggested a move for Amoruso was imminent. "The deal is back on and there have been fresh talks," said an insider.

Meanwhile, Reid hopes to complete the £250,000 transfer of Mechelen midfielder Tom Peeters before the end of the week.

Sunderland have been linked with an interest in Wimbledon's £4m fullback Ben Thatcher, already wanted by Liverpool and Spurs.

But that news wouldn't be welcomed by winger Nicky Summerbee, who was brutally elbowed by the Dons' defender last season in an incident graphically captured by television cameras.