Fulham join Sunderland in race to sign Mido

English FA Premiership Transfer news: Sunderland appear to have competition in their attempt to sign Egypt striker Mido from Tottenham.

Manager Roy Keane has tabled a bid for the 24-year-old but there has been interest from other clubs, with Fulham understood to have re-entered the race.

Mido was strongly linked with a transfer to Craven Cottage at the start of the summer but a move did not materialise, which paved the way for Birmingham to make a bid.

An €8.9 million move to St Andrews fell through as Mido could not agree personal terms with the newly promoted team.

Sunderland have already bolstered their attack with Michael Chopra but Keane wants to add more international experience to his squad for his rookie season as a top-flight boss.

"I believe you can't have enough strikers at your club," Keane said in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle. "We've talked in pre-season about what we might be lacking here and what we might need, and Mido's a player I'm well aware of."

Mido was on the brink of a move to Manchester City last January but was persuaded to stay at Tottenham until the end of the season by manager Martin Jol.

However, the Egyptian's goal against Arsenal on transfer-deadline day was his last of the season and he has been tipped for a move from White Hart Lane since Tottenham signed Darren Bent from Charlton.

Fulham have also been strongly linked with a move for Watford's Hameur Bouazza. Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd has described Bouazza's departure from Vicarage Road as "99.9 per cent of the way there".

Meanwhile, Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon was heading for talks with at least one English club yesterday as his exit from Tynecastle moved a step closer.

The Scotland number one played no part in last night's Scottish Premier League 1-0 home defeat to local rivals Hibernian as a result.

Two clubs, reported to be Sunderland and Aston Villa, have asked to speak with Gordon about a move to the English Premier League.

Gordon (24) was the subject of strong interest from Fulham in January and Sunderland manager Keane failed with a bid to sign him in July but apparently the two clubs have renewed their interest. Rated by Hearts at €14 million, the club captain has not asked for a move and has two years remaining on his existing contract.