Hmmmm Sunderland's Jozy Altidore set to be the key to Liverpool landing Divock Origi in January LIVERPOOL could be handed a reprieve in their hopes of bringing Divock Origi to Anfield in January with Lille targeting Sunderland's Jozy Altidore. Origi was bought by Brendan Rodgers over the summer but immediately loaned back to Lille to continue his development for a further season. However, with Mario Balotelli struggling to set the world alight after his move from AC Milan, reports had suggested that Rodgers could seek to cut short the loan arrangement and bring in Origi in the upcoming transfer window. Lille have thus far insisted that they have no intention of letting Origi leave before the end of the season, as per their original agreement. However, the Ligue 1 club's interest in Altidore as a replacement could expedite things. Altidore was originally seen as a long-term replacement for the 19-year-old Belgian, but is not a big part of Gus Poyet's plans at Sunderland. And if Liverpool are willing to allow Fabio Borini to join the Black Cats in January, rather than making a return to Serie A, reports in France suggest Altidore will be allowed to join Lille. That would make the loss of Origi slightly easier to bare, meaning he could link up with the Reds. Origi was recently quoted as saying: "I agreed to stay with Lille until the end of this season. "If there was that chance of joining Liverpool sooner I would take it. I would love to move to Liverpool sooner rather than later." And while the striker later backtracked on those remarks, it seems he could get his wish in January after all.
Christ, 2+1 = 497. Why would this make any difference in the Borini saga when he does not want to come to us? I don't want him here for that very reason.
maybe we should make this the start of the transfer rumour thread, they are coming thick and fast now like Gus Poyet insists he knows the positions Sunderland need to strengthen in the January transfer window. The Black Cats boss held a meeting with sporting director Lee Congerton last week to discuss the club’s transfer plans, and finalise a list of targets. Nine new players joined the Wearsiders over the summer - with Anthony Reveillere’s arrival last month making him the tenth addition - but a similar number departed, and Poyet admitted that his squad is short of numbers. Poyet tried and failed to land another centre-back in August, while he was also unable to sign a replacement for last season’s loanee Fabio Borini in the wide left slot. Players to fill those positions are on Poyet’s New Year’s wishlist. And, with left-back Patrick van Aanholt picking up an injury that will sideline him until February, specialist cover for that position is also likely to be on the agenda. But, whatever his priorities at present, Poyet says there could be changes if injuries over the next six weeks leave the Black Cats short in other areas. “Yes, I know which positions we want,” he said. “We had a good idea, but it’s become clearer over the last few weeks. “It does depend though. You have to be ready and manage the situation if it changes.” Sunderland have been linked with Senegal international midfielder Stephane Badji this week, with Premier League rivals Crystal Palace also rumoured to be interested. Sunderland have been scouting in Scandinavia since the summer, but at present the links with Badji - who plays for Norwegian side Brann - are understood to be nothing more than speculation. A more likely target for the Wearsiders could be Portuguese winger Bruma, who is expected to leave Turkish club Galatasaray in January. Sunderland had a loan bid for the 20-year-old rejected last January, but reports in the Turkish media suggest they could make a fresh attempt to bring him to England. Bruma would be a candidate to fill the so-called ‘Borini role’ for Sunderland. Another option would be to try and revive their summer bid to bring Borini himself back to Wearside from Liverpool, although the Black Cats might not be keen to chase a player who decided against joining only a few months ago. Connor Wickham, Adam Johnson and Will Buckley have all spent time playing on the left this season, with Wickham - whose preferred role is as a central striker - spending the most time in that position. Ideally, Poyet wants a specialist - although he admits it may not be his main priority in January. He said: “I think it will depend on the goals we score between now and then. “If you’d asked me the other week [if bringing in a specialist was his priority], I would have said ‘yes, 100%’. “Players we’re looking at are probably the style of player that are strikers who can play wide. “That doesn’t mean Connor isn’t doing well. He’s been doing unbelievable for us and doing something we were not expecting. “He linked very well with Steven Fletcher in pre-season and they’ve been giving us some presence. “They were both outstanding against Stoke. “If they score 10 each between now and January, maybe we won’t buy anyone.”
Liverpool allowed Borini to come in the summer yet he didn't. Balotelli injured and Sturridge out for a long stretch, why would Borini come now? He's going to be starting games for them up till Christmas now.
Say this theory was to be true You then have Fletch/Wickham/Borini, a good forward line. one currently in form, another kept us up and is due a contract, another is a fantastic talent that made our attack last season. Try and fit them in to the team. Whilst fletch is scoring goals at the moment hes now 27 meaning hes just hitting his prime Wickham and Borini are 21 and 23... Go for a young forward line and bench fletch? Or do you bench Wickham and run the risk of him getting frustrated and letting his contract run out? Plus then where does this leave Johnson/Buckley/Alvarez/Giacc? Personally dont think Johnson/Buckley have contributed much this season but still Dont think we need to focus on the attacking part of the team at the moment Mainly the defence and possibly a creative player
Striker Centre-half Left-back In that order. Striker the most important, coz if Fletch gets injured we r fooked.
