Sunderland pull out of deal for Aussie star Neill

Sunderland have pulled out of a deal to bring Australia defender Lucas Neill to the Stadium of Light.

Black Cats manager Steve Bruce admitted talks had started between Neill and the Premier League club after the 31-year-old was released by West Ham.

But Neill is reportedly asking for a contract worth around 40,000 pounds (45,000 euros) a week and Bruce revealed there is no chance a deal for the free agent will go through at present.

“We did speak to the player about the possibility of coming to Sunderland,” Bruce told the Sunderland Echo.

“But as things stand, nothing’s going to come of that and nothing will unless circumstances change.”