Vaughan signs and Gibson still on Sunderland radar David Vaughan By Chris Young Published on Friday 8 July 2011 12:00 DAVID Vaughan wrapped up his free transfer move to Sunderland today although it will not necessarily spell the end of their pursuit of Darren Gibson. But the chances of the Black Cats landing a trio of Manchester United players are now remote, with Gibson pricing himself out of a move to the Stadium of Light. Free agent Vaughan became the clubâs ninth summer signing this morning after agreeing a three-year deal following talks at the Academy of Light yesterday. It lessens the pressure on Sunderland to sign fellow midfielder Gibson, with the Black Cats baulking at the Republic of Ireland internationalâs wage demands which would see him more than double his Old Trafford salary. Instead, the Black Cats have made a âtake it or leave itâ offer to Gibson which remains on the table. But he will have to backtrack significantly if he is to join ex-United team-mates Wes Brown and John OâShea on Wearside after the defensive duo completed their moves yesterday. And with Stoke City reportedly entering the race for Gibson, the chances of the 23-year-old completing a £6million move are receding. Likewise, Stuttgart striker Pavel Pogrebnyak will not be moving to Sunderland due to the Russianâs excessive wage demands. The capture of Vaughan, Seb Larsson and Craig Gardner has given Steve Bruce a wealth of midfield options anyway and the Sunderland boss will feel he now has sufficient options in the centre of the park. Bruce said: âDavid was excellent throughout last season, including both games against us, so itâs only natural that he caught the attention of a number of top clubs. âWeâre delighted that he sees his future at Sunderland. His experience, grit and energy in midfield will be a valuable asset to us and weâre now looking forward to him joining up with the squad for pre-season training.â The 28-year-old Welsh international had been to West Brom earlier in the week for discussions, but opted for Sunderland after his contract at Blackpool came to an end last season. The focus for Bruce now will be on trying to trim his squad before any other incoming signings. Sunderland continue to listen to offers for George McCartney, Nyron Nosworthy, Matt Kilgallon and Marcos Angeleri with the quartet potentially saving a significant chunk off the wage bill. McCartney, Nosworthy and Kilgallon all returned to pre-season training on Wednesday, while Angeleri will be back in the North East next week after being given extra time off following his international exertions for Argentina in the summer. Ideally, Sunderland would like to offload the players on a permanent basis, although they would be prepared to send them out on loan as McCartney, Nosworthy and Kilgallon were last season to Leeds, Sheffield United and Doncaster respectively. There has been interest in the quartet already though and Bruce will now look to make the same rapid progress as he has done with his recruitment drive. Doubts will also be raised over the futures of Craig Gordon, Anton Ferdinand and Steed Malbranque with all three within the final 12 months of their contracts. Sunderland are not actively looking to sell the trio, although they will inevitably be tempted if a suitable offer is received. http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport...nd_gibson_still_on_sunderland_radar_1_3557866 ****
Let Stoke have him... Just one question Bill.. How was this this article published at 12.00, yet was posted on here at 11.29? Think someone at the echo has made a mistake..
For some reason Im 2 hours ahead, dont ask me why, niggled me for years, clock changes, still a year diff, minimum, cant be fuct to find out why, I have a giant railway clock in my appartment, I never alter the time, forwards or back, at the moment its on English time, shortly with clock changes it will be back to continental time. my watch tells me its nearly 1300 hrs, station clock says nearly 1200, and when I post tis there will still be an hours discrepancy. WIERD.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,GLOBAL WARMING.
