Bothroyd but it is The Mirror

Bruce prepared to make Bothroyd offer he can't refuse

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is ready to sign Cardiff’s England striker Jay Bothroyd on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Bothroyd has pushed Cardiff into the promotion frame this season with his goals and assists, and has attracted a lot of interest as he lets his Bluebirds contract run out.

But now Sunderland are confident they will get their man – whether the Welsh club go up or not – and will offer Bothroyd better terms than any other interested party.

Sunderland could pay Bothroyd around £30,000-a-week, the kind of cash few of the rivals for his *signature could match, and they want to tie up the transfer quickly.

Bruce is desperate for more firepower after being caught out by the departure of Darren Bent to Aston Villa in the last window.

The Sunderland chief would like to keep Danny Welbeck but he is due to return to Manchester United and may be too expensive for the Wearsiders to buy in the summer.

Bruce has also looked at taking ex-England star Michael Owen on a free from United when his deal expires, but Bothroyd, 28, appears to be the first major capture that he will pull off when the campaign is over.

 

and anthony ujah?

 

Anyone. Whats this Jay Boothroyd like? "Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has moved into pole position in the race to land Cardiff striker Jay Boothroyd on a free transfer at the end of the season." from the Daily Mirror

 

We could do worse! As one of 4 front line strikers? Yes, I'd take him, especially as he's free

Owen would be a definate no from me. We have enough problems with injuries without him adding to them!

 

Have a look on You Tube Kiwi. There's bound to be footage of him there.

 

For free cant see the risk as a squad player!

 

He's a proven championship goalscorer that's for sure. We can't afford 2/3 top strikers aswell as players for other positions so any frees like this could well be worth it. Then if it doesn't work out we haven't wasted a huge transfer fee.

 

Agree about Bothroyd, he also brings other people into the game. Mind you I would also take Owen, Reckon pay as you play deal would be the way to go.
Get them 2 on a free and a Big money signing, leaves some money for a LW and some full backs.

 

Owen is a risk, even on a pay-as-you-play IMO. He would probably want big money and hasn't really done a great deal for Man Utd to justify a big wage.

 

this

 

Thanks Dorset. From what I found nothing more than a average squad player IMHO. Hope I'm wrong if we end up getting him.

 

Don't rate him at all doing okay at Cardiff but seems a bit of a mercenary to let his contract run down and at 28 is no spring chicken unfortunately. Let someone else beat us to his signature.

 

with campbell out next season and welbeck going back to united, we have one (ONE!!) available striker. even if we play 4-5-1 all next season, we need at least three forwards available. bothroyd on a free would be a good signing. i doubt he's going to set the prem alight, but he'd give us a different dimension up front to what we have, is experienced, and not as bad as some make out. on a free, for back up, he's a good signing, and it means we can hopefully spend big on a top class replacement for bent as well.

 

Bothroyd offers something we currently don't have up top - a physical presence.

I rate him and would be delighted if we signed him.

For games away from home when we are under the cosh he would be someone we could knock it up to, and he would hold it

 

Fair enough lads but, we need players who will get us to the next level Bothroyd isn't one of those players. One lad said as a squad player and I'll go along with that but, will he want to come to us as a squad player? He has had a go for England which is what maybe turning his head a bit hence the contract running down.

 

Here's a scenario for you to consider......

God forbid we had another injury crisis like this season and last, but if we did and there was only Noble and Bothroyd fit to take one spot in a 4-5-1 formation, who would you play if it meant staying up or going down on the last day of the season?

I'm all for giving the youngsters a chance but it's a no brainer for me!

 

Iwould regard the signing of Bothroyd as similar to Everton's signing of Beckford a year ago. Little risk, and would probably strengthen the squad, if not the first 11.

 

This. Nicely put mate

 

I hope not.

 

I echo this view.

He's a very decent player, and different to what we have.

He'd be a great option, and for £0.00, risk free.

And smiffy's right as well, Beckford is starting to look very handy indeed now.