Shaun Goater says he is “flattered” by Sunderland's reported interest in him and has told the Black Cats and other prospective clubs to come and get him.

And the 33-year-old striker says that while he intends to stay in England, there have been approaches for his services from the USA, can reveal.

Goater has asked to leave Manchester City, the Premiership side he has achieved legend status at since moving from Bristol City in 1998, after seeing his first team chances restricted.

Manager Kevin Keegan brought in Nicolas Anelka and then Robbie Fowler and the axis has put paid to the Bermudian's hopes of regular football.

Goater said his farewell in an emotion-charged end of season game against Southampton on Sunday - a match that also marked the end of the club's association with Maine Road, their home for the past 80 years. The player was made captain for the day and was feted by the fans throughout, especially when substituted after 63 minutes for Fowler.

But now the noise has died down, thoughts have turned to next season and just where he may be plying his trade.

Relegated Sunderland would appear the firm favourites at the moment. Star striker Kevin Phillips said yesterday he was quitting the Stadium of Light because he did not want to play First Division football and his anticipated move to North-East neighbours Middlesbrough could pave the way for Goater to replace him.

First Division Ipswich, Wolves and Sheffield United have also been mentioned.

Speaking yesterday, Goater said he had heard all the rumours but that's all they were - for the moment.

“Even if a club calls me and says ‘Shaun we want you' they still have to go and talk to Man. City,” he said, referring to the fact he still has a year to run on his contract.

“With the rumours about Sunderland, Wolves and Ipswich, it's all good, it's all flattering and it's great that there are several teams out there. But how interested are they? It's a case of wait and see but I know one thing, I'd certainly like to be a fly on the wall.”

Referring specifically to Mick McCarthy's Sunderland, Goater said they were the kind of team he would be interested in playing for.

“They are a big club, a massive club,” he said. “They are a club that have ambition and certainly don't want to be stuck in the First Division. They will certainly want to progress and move back to the Premiership.”

Goater said he also respected McCarthy, the former Republic of Ireland chief, as a manager.

“He has managed on the international scene and at the World Cup,” he said. “He knows the game and you can have nothing but the utmost respect for someone like that.”

Asked if he was calling on the likes of Sunderland to make themselves known Goater said: “Yes. Because I want to play football.”

Though he wants to stay in England, and preferably continue to live in the North-West where he has put down his roots, Goater said he was not categorically ruling out offers from overseas.

“I have had people enquire about me going to America,” he said. “But I am pretty much settled in England and so the immediate answer is ‘No'. But if no one was to come in (from England) there is an interest in America for me to go there and they have told me to keep them posted. It is an option, but right now my thoughts are solely based on England.”

Although it is almost certain that the weekend's game was the last in a sky blue shirt for Goater, the irony is he could well return to City for pre-season training later this summer if the club cannot agree a deal with a potential suitor.

Boss Keegan has already stated that the club will be seeking a decent sum and in today's climate that might put some teams off unless City are willing to be flexible.

If Goater goes for a fee over ?400,000 then City must pay Second Division Bristol 20 percent, but they could agree a figure just under that ceiling and still make a tidy amount for someone expected to play for just another two to three years.

“We will want money for Shaun and there is a sell-on clause for Bristol City. But the most important thing is that we make the move right for him,” Keegan said in a recent interview.

Aware of the financial pressure clubs, including those previously mentioned, are under, Goater hopes City will place the emphasis more on the latter part of the manager's statement than the former.

“I can only hope that Man. City are reasonable in terms of what they are looking for by way of funds for myself,” he said.

As for when he would like to have his future mapped out, he added: “I would hope that something would be able to be sorted certainly by the time I return back (to England), but that depends on Man. City.”