July 2009 Archives

DARREN Bent's move to Sunderland could be on the verge of collapse after the striker failed to have a medical on Wearside yesterday in the wake of late bids from Aston Villa and Hull City.

Although club sources have insisted Bent was never due to have his pre-signing hospital checks as they are still negotiating with Tottenham over the size of his fee, the player claimed via his personal blog on internet social network Twitter on Tuesday evening that he was travelling to Wearside for just that purpose.

The Journal understands that the Black Cats are far from happy with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy's handling of the transfer and feel he is trying to extract more money from them.

Sunderland thought they had agreed a club-record fee of £12m, with another £2m attached to various clauses referring to appearances and goals scored, but they are being kept in the dark by the Spurs hierarchy, who appear to be trying to start a bidding war.

Continue reading »

DARREN Bent's proposed club-record move to Sunderland could be in jeopardy after Aston Villa and Hull City made an attempt to hijack the deal last night.

Bent was expected to seal a £12m switch to the Stadium of Light once he had passed a medical on Wearside this morning, but the late entrance of two of Sunderland's Premier League rivals is a potential stumbling block.

Although the Black Cats will be confident of seeing off the threat of Hull City, Villa manager Martin O'Neill might be a tougher opponent, particularly as it has been rumoured Bent was holding out for an offer from the Midlands club, who play in the Europa League this season. Given the fact Steve Bruce has already lost out to Tottenham Hotspur when trying to lure Peter Crouch to the North East, the latest development on the Bent deal will be a worry. It is understood that both clubs have matched Spurs' asking price.

Continue reading »

DARREN BENT'S Sunderland switch moved a step closer today after Tottenham backed down on their £15m valuation of the striker.

Despite the England striker heading to the North East for talks on the move, Black Cats fans are unlikely to see a quick resolution in the long-running saga.

With senior Black Cats officials still overseas in the wake of the weekend Amsterdam tournament, an official unveiling is more likely to happen later in the week.

Continue reading »

KENWYNE Jones has once again pledged his loyalty to Sunderland after admitting he is getting increasingly exasperated by the persistent rumours surrounding his position at the club.

Jones has been regularly linked with a move over the last 12 months, fuelled partly by Tottenham Hotspur's public pursuit of him at the end of last year, and is tired of constantly having to deny stories claiming he wants to leave.

The latest flurry of speculation was provoked by new manager Steve Bruce's pursuit of Peter Crouch, a target-man centre forward who would probably have been in direct competition with Jones for a starting place.

Continue reading »

KIERAN RICHARDSON believes boss Steve Bruce will unlock his goalscoring potential next season - after revealing Sunderland are "fitter and stronger" than they were 12 months ago.

Playing with an experimental 4-3-3 formation, the Black Cats earned an impressive 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid last night to bring the curtain down on a useful Amsterdam Tournament.

The system involves Richardson in a more advanced role just behind target man Kenwyne Jones - and it reaped instant rewards for the former Manchester United trainee, who bagged a brace.

Continue reading »

STEVE Bruce has warned Tottenham Hotspur he will not wait around forever to sign Darren Bent as talks between the two clubs broke down last night.

Tottenham are holding out for the £16m they paid Charlton Athletic for the striker two years ago, but Sunderland are believed to have only offered around £12m for the England international.

With former Black Cats target Peter Crouch expected to seal a move to White Hart Lane this week, Bruce hopes that will lead to a breakthrough in the negotiations regarding Bent.

Continue reading »

SUNDERLAND are thought to be close to clinching the signing of Marseille captain Lorik Cana.

Cana is said to have agreed terms with the Black Cats in Amsterdam after seeing a deal with Hamburg fall through.

The Albanian international, who turns 26 on Monday, has forged a reputation as one of the toughest midfielders in French football.

Continue reading »

STEVE Bruce has confirmed his interest in Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh as he hinted Sunderland are close to making a major breakthrough in the transfer market.

Chamakh has been a long-term target of Bruce's, while his interest in Tottenham Hotpsur's Darren Bent has never gone away this summer, despite the failed attempt to sign Peter Crouch from Portsmouth last week.

And, with Niall Quinn back from holiday, Sunderland's manager feels significant progress could be made while the Black Cats are playing in the Amsterdam Tournament.

Continue reading »

FRUSTRATED Alan Shearer is running out of patience with the Newcastle United hierarchy, according to his close friend Rob Lee.

United's all-time top goalscorer remains "desperate" to regain control at St James's Park but has watched in dismay as his plans to rebuild the club have slowly unravelled over a summer of poisonous inaction.

Shearer began marking the cards of his top summer targets in the first weeks of the close season but saw another player slip through his fingers yesterday with Manchester City striker Ched Evans close to finalising a move to United's Championship rivals Sheffield United.

Continue reading »

LYON are the latest rivals to Sunderland in the race for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh.

But the Black Cats expect to have a clear run to clinch the signing of Tottenham hitman Darren Bent in the next 72 hours.

Chamakh yesterday said he wants to join Sunderland after agreeing personal terms on a move to the Stadium of Light.

Continue reading »