Sunderland Transfer News and Rumours, Wednesday 22 December
Sunderland Eye Up City Pair
Sunderland are looking to sign Manchester City duo Adam Johnson and Nedum Onuoha according to the Daily Mail.
The City defender is already on loan at the Stadium Of Light and Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is ready to offer £6 million to make the deal permanent. Onuoha has impressed at centre-half and right-back this season and has enjoyed playing regular first-team football.
Bruce is also set to make an offer to take Johnson on loan for the rest of the season. The Black Cats thought they had landed Johnson in a £6 million transfer from Middlesbrough in January of this year but a last-minute £8 million bid from City along with £60,000 a week in wages saw Johnson snatched from under Steve Bruce’s nose.
However, like so many of City’s stars, Johnson has found a regular start in the first team hard to come by and although he has failed to appear in just four games this season most of his appearances have come off the sub’s bench.
Last month he told The Sunthat he would consider a move away from Eastlands to get first-team football but added that it was too early then to make a decision. Johnson’s family still live in the north-east but the former Middlesbrough academy graduate would either have to move on a permanent deal or see Onuoha’s or Danny Welbeck’s loan deals become permanent moves as Premier League rules state that clubs may only loan two players from other English clubs.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce says John Mensah should be fit for Sunday’s game against West Ham.
Bruce expects the Ghanaian defender to have recovered from a shoulder injury picked up in the Black Cats’ 2-0 win over Stoke at the beginning of last month. Mensah played against Wolves last Saturday despite the injury though he came off late on in the game. However, he has trained as usual this week and declared himself fit for Sunday’s televised game with the struggling Hammers.
“John has trained a couple of times this week and took another whack on his bad shoulder on Saturday, but we think he’ll be okay,” said Bruce on Thursday.
“He is still out there on the training ground and that’s a good thing for us. Leg wise he is okay, he just has to deal with the pain in his shoulder.
“I thought John did okay at Wolves considering what he’s had. Him making himself available is a testament to the boy.”
Meanwhile, Bruce is hoping for better luck injury-wise as the club heads into a five-match programme in December.
With three of his squad out with long-term injuries Bruce admits that all squad members will have a part to play in the coming weeks.
“The one thing we need is a bit of luck in terms of injuries,” Bruce revealed. “We can’t really afford any more long-term ones.
“We have already had to deal without the likes of Fraizer Campbell, David Meyler, Craig Gordon, Titus Bramble and now Michael Turner.
“It’s a big ask for us over Christmas. During that period you tend to see more injuries, particularly in games rather than training.
“I hope we can have a clear run at it because that will define our season.”
Sunderland Transfer News and Rumours, Wednesday 24 November
Sunderland Hope For Bentley Loan Deal
Sunderland are showing an interest in Spurs’ David Bentley. The winger has only started one game this season and the Daily Mail reports that Harry Redknapp could be willing to let him go out on loan for a £1 million loan fee.
Spurs are looking to recoup most of the £15 million they paid Blackburn for Bentley in 2008 but in order for the loan to happen Sunderland need to complete the signing of defender Nedum Onuoha from Manchester City for around £5 million.
Redknapp would like to offload to Bentley as he is in a ‘sell before you can buy’ situation with regards to transfers in the January window and is keen to bring in some new faces to White Hart Lane.
Sunderland Transfer News: Bruce Hopes Darren Bent Won’t Be Targeted As Rooney’s Replacement
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Bruce Hopes Bent Is Kept Out Of Rooney Transfer Saga
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce said yesterday that he doesn’t want striker Darren Bent to be sucked into the Rooney transfer maelstrom.
The England striker has scored 29 goals in 46 games for the Black Cats and Bruce said: “It is the nature of football there are merry-go-rounds but I don’t want to pre-empt it. At Sunderland we can turn everything down but silly money. Ultimately, as we have witnessed at United, player power is unbelievable. For us to part with Benty – bloody hell, it is something we won’t even entertain.”
Sunderland Transfer News and Rumours, Thursday 30 September
Sunderland Looking At Czech Midfield Duo
Sunderland are said to be looking at Czech midfielders Jan Polak and Jaroslav Plasil.
Twenty-nine year old Polak has over 50 caps for his country and almost left his Belgian club Anderlecht for Turkish side Galatasaray in the summer but signed a one year contract extension with the Belgian side which would keep him at the club until 2012, while Plasil is a left-sided player currently at Bordeaux.
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Sunderland News: Bruce Has Selection Headache Ahead of Wigan
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New Signings And Recoveries Means Bruce is Spoilt For Choice
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce expects to have some tough decisions to make ahead of Saturday’s game against Wigan.
Bruce expects to have John Mensah back from injury, while on-loan defender Nedum Onuoha returns to the squad after being ineligible to face his parent club Manchester City.
“It could be one of those horrible decisions managers have to make,” he said.
“Of course, at the back of my mind is a team which did so well because they were terrific against Manchester City.”
Bruce must also decide whether to give £13 million new signing Asamoah Gyan his debut alongside Darren Bent or to stick with Danny Welbeck, who impressed after coming on as a second-half substitute against City.
However, the Black Cats have several long-term injuries, in particular David Meyler, Fraizer Campbell and Michael Turner.
Bruce said: “I’ve seen David Meyler running around the training ground today while Fraizer Campbell is just starting out. We could do without two cruciate ligament injuries over the space of just a few games.
“Michael Turner’s is a nasty one and he still isn’t weight-bearing at the moment. We could do with some better luck in that department.”
As Bruce takes stock after the transfer window has closed he says his priority is to integrate the nine new signings that have arrived at the club since the end of last season.
“I’m delighted with what we’ve managed to do – now we need time to work on the squad.
“There’s been an enormous amount of changes over the last 12 months, so now we need to settle everyone in and work with them.
“Everyone will appreciate that there’s been a huge turnover, but now we need to produce results.”
Marcos Angeleri,
Phil Bardsley,
Darren Bent,
Titus Bramble,
Fraizer Campbell,
Trevor Carson,
Lee Cattermole,
Paulo Da Silva,
Ahmed El Mohamady,
Anton Ferdinand,
Craig Gordon,
Asamoah Gyan,
David Healy,
Steed Malbranque,
George McCartney,
John Mensah,
Simon Mignolet,
Nedum Onuoha,
Andy Reid,
Kieran Richardson,
Crisitjan Riveros,
Michael Turner,
Robbie Weir,
Boudewijn Zenden.
Sunderland were responsible for the biggest single transfer deadline day spend with the £13 million signing of Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan from Rennes.
The 24-year-old – who scored three goals in his country’s World Cup Finals campaign in South Africa this summer – has signed a four-year deal on Wearside. Gyan arrived in the north-east on Monday and spent yesterday undergoing a medical and sorting out personal terms after the two clubs had agreed a deal.
Gyan said: “The Sunderland coach has faith in me because he has been following me for two years now.”
Striker Martyn Waghorn has moved to Leicester for £2 million, rising to £3 million.
Sunderland look set to sign Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan and will sell Martyn Waghorn to Leicester to help fund the deal.
Gyan was spotted at Newcastle Airport on Monday night amidst rumours that a deal has been agreed. Reports yesterday suggested that Sunderland would have to break their record fee of £10 million to land the Ghanaian World Cup star and that they will sell Waghorn to Leicester for £2 million to help fund the deal.
Sunderland are believed to be ready to make a move for defender Rod Fanni. The 28-year-old has been interesting a number of clubs over the course of the summer with Europa League winners Atletico Madrid particularly keen; however the Black Cats are believed to have leapt to the front of the queue for the Rennes right-back.
Sunderland are currently in talks with the French side over striker Asamoah Gyan and it is believed that Fanni could also move to the Stadium of Light as part of the deal.
Fanni suffered a back injury in his side’s match with Arles-Avignon at the weekend and Sunderland are waiting to discover the seriousness of the injury before making a bid.
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Sunderland have agreed a deal in principle to take Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan to the Stadium Of Light in an £8 million deal. However, the transfer has yet to be agreed by the club’s board.
Boss Steve Bruce has had to sell before he can buy this summer but despite off-loading Kenwyne Jones for £8 million and bringing in £3 million from the sale of Marton Fulop and Daryl Murphy, Bruce has so failed to unlock the cheque book of owner Elliott Short and complained on Friday about being unable to bring in new faces.
“I need a replacement for Kenwyne Jones and I’ve said that all along. If we don’t bring in one, we’re gambling and I think it’s unfair on the young forwards.”
The Black Cats are also being linked with a £5 million bid for Stoke City striker Tuncay. Stoke boss Tony Pulis wants to sell the Turkish striker to fund his own last-minute foray into the transfer market.
Bruce Keeping Tabs on Norway Winger
One player Steve Bruce is said to be keeping an eye on is Norwegian international Erik Huseklepp.
The 25-year-old winger plays for Bergen side FK Brann and although he has been watched by a Sunderland scout he is unaware of any Premier League interest in him.
“I cannot be bothered thinking about it. I don’t know much about it,” he said.
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Sunderland are interested in Bordeaux striker Fernando Cavenaghi. The Argentinian has failed to agree a contract extension and the French side have decided to cash in now rather than let him leave on a Bosman next summer.
Steve Bruce is keen to add more fire-power to his side, particularly after Saturday’s toothless display at West Brom.
The 26-year-old Cavenaghi has an impressive scoring record with the French side hitting 45 goals in 98 games since arriving at the club in February 2007.
Cavenaghi himself is said to be keen to leave Bordeaux, who have got off to a faltering start to the season winning just one of their opening three games.
Sunderland Turn To Cole After Gyan Bid Rebuffed
Meanwhile Sunderland have been rebuffed in their attempts to sign Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan.
The Black Cats have been quoted a fee of £12 million for the Ghanaian, after he starred in his country’s World Cup campaign this summer.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is looking at alternatives with Cavenaghi (see above) and West Ham’s Carlton Cole top of his revised wish-list.
West Ham want £15 million for Cole but with the clock ticking to the end of the transfer window next Tuesday and with the Hammers wanting to bring in new faces themselves after a poor start to the season, they may yet do a deal.
Sunderland are set to make a move for Rennes forward Asamoah Gyan.
The Black Cats have been linked with the Ghanaian international striker since his country were knocked out of the World Cup in July but are only now ready to put in a bid. Gyan is rated at around £8 million and favours a move to England and after selling Kenwyne Jones to Stoke, Bruce has the funds available.
The Sunderland boss has found himself under some early-season pressure after a disappointing start to the season that has seen his side surrender a two-goal lead to Birmingham then lose 1-0 yesterday to newly-promoted West Brom. Bruce was critical of his team after yesterday’s match, saying “In the first half we simply weren’t good enough. We were 10 yards off it and unfortunately it has happened too many times away from home.” He added: “We have to improve, and we did in the second half. But it shouldn’t take me ranting and raving at half-time.”
Meanwhile, the Sunday People reveals that Sunderland paid Kenwyne Jones a £2-million sweetener to leave the club. Jones received the pay-off as part of his £9-million transfer to Stoke City after seeing his wages at the Britainnia fall by around £20,000 a week. Jones was on a £50,000-a-week pay package at the Stadium Of Light, while Stoke are paying him £30,000 a week.
Bari Interested In Ferdinand
Bari have shown an interest in signing Sunderland’sAnton Ferdinand. The defender hasn’t been given a squad number by Steve Bruce and is looking for another club. A move to Palermo broke down when they decided he was too much like what they already have, while Fiorentina have also shown an interest.
Sunderland defender Matt Kilgallon has joined Championship side Middlesbrough on loan for the rest of the season.
The 26-year-old wasn’t given a squad number for the new season which suggested he was no longer part of Steve Bruce’s plans.
Kilgallon arrived from Sheffield United in January but has played in just seven league games for the Black Cats.
“Matt can play left-back as well as centre-back,” said middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan. “He gives us height as well as experience. There’s a hunger there. I’ve explained to him that we’re probably looking at a certain position to start with and we’ll se how it goes from there.”
Ferdinand Set for Fiorentina as Palermo Deal Falls Through
Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand’s loan deal to Serie A side Palermo has fallen through after the Italian club decided he was too much like what they already had.
Palermo sporting director Walter Sabatini said: “Anton Ferdinand is a physically strong defender that we like, but we decided to give up because we don’t need another central defender.”
Ferdinand is now being linked with a loan move to Fiorentina.
Wigan Athletic have said they will let winger Charles N’Zogbia go – but only for £10 million. The Frenchman has been fined two weeks wages – around £70,000 – after walking out of training last Friday and missing Saturday’s 4-0 home defeat by Blackpool.
N’Zogbia and his agents met with boss Roberto Martinez yesterday and a parting of the ways now looks inevitable. Birmingham were linked with N’Zogbia earlier this summer but Sunderland looks the favourite destination as manager Steve Bruce looks to link up again with the player he took from Newcastle United to Wigan.
N’zogbia Asks For Transfer – Sunderland Interested
Wigan’s Charles N’zogbia has asked for a transfer and missed Saturday’s 4-0 embarrassing defeat at home to Blackpool.
N’zogbia has been linked with a move away from the DW Stadium for much of the summer and at one point looked set to sign for Birmingham.
His former boss at Wigan, Steve Bruce, will be interested in signing a player he took from Newcastle to Wigan in 2009 but he may have to shell out as much as £10 million to take the Frenchman to Sunderland.
Sunderland Pinpoint Zamora As Jones Replacement
Steve Bruce has identified Bobby Zamora as a replacement for Kenwyne Jones, according to the News Of The World.
Sunderland sold Jones to Stoke this week for £8 million and although Bruce has enquired about Peter Crouch, Craig Bellamy and Asamoah Gyan, nothing has come of any of those enquiries.
The paper also suggests that tempting Zamora north could be Bruce’s biggest problem.
Reid Can Leave Sunderland
Andy Reid has been told he can leave Sunderland. The 27-year-old is expected to have a £3 million price tag put on his head and will probably interest Celtic. Newcastle boss Chris Hughton could also offer his old Spurs colleague a chance to move further up the north-east coast.
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Bolton Keen On Kilgallon
Bolton Wanderers want Sunderland centre-back Matt Kilgallon. The 26-year-old hasn’t been given a squad number for the new season suggesting he is no longer part of Steve Bruce’s plans.
Kilgallon arrived from Sheffield United in January but has played in just seven league games for the Black Cats.
Bolton will have to pay £2 million and will also have to fight off competition for Kilgallon’s signature from Middlesbrough.
