Football clubs are notoriously sluggish when it comes to saying anything reliable about transfer news. Sometimes there is good reason for the reticence; often enough it’s just an extension of the culture of secrecy they love to develop.
Sunderland are no worse than others in this regard, and probably better than most.
But they are, like many of the others, fond of having it both ways: keeping officially silent while plagiarising rumours and speculation from elsewhere.
I have no complaint about that: the editor of safc.com has to keep his pages looking up-to-date and active, just as we do, when there isn’t actually any football or much else going on. And come to think about it, I am just about to do it, too.
All the same, it’s an object lesson in officialese-meets-prying-hacks custom and practice. This was today’s offering:
Today’s Guardian is following up on the story that Sky Sports ran last night regarding Sunderland’s apparent interest in Manchester United trio Wes Brown, Darron Gibson and John O’Shea.
The paper states that Sunderland hope to conclude a deal for the three United players with the money they would get from Liverpool should Jordan Henderson seal a move to Anfield.
The article continues implying that the Black Cats had put in place the deal for Brown, O’Shea and Gibson last week and although the bid has reportedly been accepted, at least one of the three wants to see if other offers materialise.
Elsewhere, The Sun believes Everton are winning the race to sign West Ham striker Demba Ba.
It had previously been reported that Sunderland were interested in the frontman, but despite new Hammers boss Sam Allardyce’s attempts to hold onto the Senegalese star, it looks like a move to Merseyside could be on the cards for Ba.
Also in The Sun, Charles N’Zogbia has revealed his desire to move on from Wigan.
The 25 year-old has told the press: “After two years here [Wigan Athletic], I think the coach and the owner are satisfied with what I have done. They know I want to sign with a bigger club who can play in Europe.”
Sunderland, Liverpool and Newcastle have all been reported to be monitoring the player’s situation, with Newcastle tipped as favourites to re-sign the Frenchman.
Enjoy it, be annoyed by it, remain unmoved. Just don’t believe any of it, not just yet.
Monsieur Salut
The telling comment for me is”….there is nothing I can do if Sunderland want to keep me”
Now if that doesn’t strike a chord Jeremy, I don’t know what does.
Watch this space……
Just seen this quote on Sky Sports Jeff.
It’s hardly a ringing commitment to the cause is it?
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“But Ghana superstar Gyan has now told skysports.com that he knows nothing of the reported link, insisting he has not been in contact with the capital outfit.
“I am not aware of any contact from Spurs, I have a contract with Sunderland. At the moment it is rumours,” he told skysports.com.
“I was in London three weeks ago for an award in London with my good friend John Pantsil, not for a meeting with Spurs.”
But Gyan admitted Spurs would be an attractive proposition, adding: “Spurs are a fantastic club and any player would be flattered by their interest, so I am, but there is nothing I can do if Sunderland want to keep me.”
What are Gyan’s comments?
I think we ought to be not so much worried about who we are going to get with all those millions from Bent and Henderson, but who might be going .
If i was a betting man i would be extremely worried about Gyans comments regarding a possible approach by Spurs.
As ManU are offloading centre halves, why don’t we go for Johnny Evans? He seems to have fallen down their pecking order and would be a much better option than O’Shea or (particularly) Brown.
Brown, O’Shea and Gibson would certainly help us to consolidate as a top ten team. If we could add Pavlyuchenko, Welbeck and Larsson that would be good. I’d also take a punt on N’Gog if the price is right . He’s young and hungry and might just need arun of games to fufill his potential. Similarly Ji Dong is worth a go andwill probably repay his transfer fee in shirt sales and might just have the right attitude to succeed. If his touch is like Quinny’s and his work rate is anything like Parks then we will be quids in.
You see how desperate things were …
Paul Atkinson has reported to friends that he has been invited to train with the first team squad for pre-season.
Eric Black was quoted as saying “We’ll be taking a look at Paul to see if he still has anything left in his locker. His experience will be an asset down the left hand side, plus he’s a free agent. Although he currently possesses an arse like a bullock, a good pre-season could be just enough for him to get in shape for his holidays if not first team football.”
The Silksworth Gazettw reported that Barry Dunn was prepared to be ticed out of retirement, while the Buggleskelly Bugle linked us with John Parke and Johnnie Crossan (if only!!).
Don’t shoot me, I’m only the messenger!!