ONE of Steve Bruce's transfer targets has been shot in the head.

The Sunderland boss had been tracking Paraguay striker Salvador Cabanas for some time.

Cabanas remains in a serious condition after undergoing surgery yesterday for the gunshot wound.

The Club America striker, 29, was shot in Mexico City on Sunday night following a reported incident in a city bar.

He was transported to an intensive care unit at a local hospital, before being taken into theatre.

Doctor Ernesto Martinez Duhart, who operated on Cabanas, said: "Salvador Cabanas is in a serious condition, but stable."

A statement on Club America's official website added: "The bullet has not yet been removed from his head, because it is in the back of the head and to remove it could cause more damage than leaving it there for now.

"Cabanas is suffering from a severe head injury. The situation remains serious, it was decided to remove clots and other debris.

"For now he is under sedation and in the coming days we will monitor developments surrounding our player."

Mexico City attorney general Miguel Angel Mancera had earlier told TV station Televisa: "It seems that the attack happened in the bathroom of the bar.

"We don't clearly know the motive behind the injury.

"According to an initial report it was a shot from a firearm with a frontal entry point and without exit."

Club America president Michel Bauer added that he believed the attack to have been unprovoked, having spoken to Cabanas' wife, who was present with the striker at the time of the attack.

"He arrived conscious and responded well to the questions they asked him as he was going into hospital," Bauer told Televisa.

"It's a key point that can be encouraging, but until further notice we cannot speculate on anything at all.

They wanted to assault him. I can confirm that that is what his wife has said, that it was an assault.

"There was no shoot-out nor any quarrel."

Cabanas is one of Paraguay's most highly-rated players and was part of their World Cup squad in Germany. Sunderland manager Bruce recently revealed he was interested in bringing the striker to the Barclays Premier League.

"I've monitored Cabanas, " he said earlier this month. "You know I've had a little contact in South America. Cabanas is a fantastic player, whether it's possible, I'm not quite sure. He's somebody who would be of interest, but I'm sure if he became available, there'd be lots more interest too."

Cabanas, who has scored more than 100 times in the Mexican top flight, has netted 18 goals in 24 matches this season.