Sunderland are struggling to offload out-of-favour Emanuele Giaccherini – because of the midfielder’s high wage demands. The Italian international is busy preparing for his country’s tilt at Euro 16, having been selected in head coach Antonio Conte’s 23-man squad for the finals in France. But behind the scenes, the player’s agent is working overtime to try and clinch a permanent move away from Sunderland this summer. Giaccherini spent the 2015-16 season on loan at Bologna, who are anxious to keep him after he scored seven times in 27 league games. But he has also been linked with Torino, Sampdoria, Lazio and Fiorentina. However, any move back to Serie A will have to see Giaccherini take a pay cut, and the playmaker’s personal demands at the minute are proving a stumbling block. Giaccherini joined Sunderland from Juventus – where he played under Conte – in 2013 but has looked unsuited to the Premier league since his arrival. He was signed for £6.5million when Roberto De Fanti and Paolo Di Canio were at the helm, and was given a bumper pay increase. And with Italian football not in the healthy financial state the Premier league is, clubs are unable to match the 31-year-old’s wages. Sunderland will be hoping the player impresses at Euro 16, which may see more teams look to sign him. The Black Cats are keen to get Giaccherini off the wage bill to free up more funds for Sam Allardyce, with the midfielder having just a year left on his contract. Well that's us loaning him out and paying a percentage of his wage. Cuts our wage budget to improve.
Sunderland were today linked with a move for free agent Jeremy Pied – but face competition from West Ham United, according to reports. Get French Football claim that the Black Cats have made an offer for the out-of-contract Nice right-back. However, they also say West ham are interested in the player, who can also operate as a winger. Sunderland are in the market for a right-back, with doubts over the future of DeAndre Yedlin, who spent last season on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. They have been extensively scouting Austria, and the Echo ran the rule over potential transfer targets among the Euro 16 dark horses. Read the full report here. Elsewhere, reports in the Midlands suggest Sunderland are interested in signing striker Idrissa Sylla from Anderlecht, but Wolverhampton Wanderers are currently at the front of the queue. Wolves have apparently lodged a £2.3 million bid for the Guinae international, after being impressed with his performances in the past season. Meanwhile, Hartlepool United have made their second signing inside two days after bringing in former Sunderland Academy graduate Jake Orrell.
Sunderland player Sebastian Larsson has been told he is free to find another club during this summer’s transfer window according to reports. With a year left on his contract, is now the right time for Sunderland to sever ties with Seb? Time and time again when Sunderland have struggled in the Premier League there has been a small core of players within the red and white fold that have managed to drag the Black Cats over the finish line - Larsson has certainly been one of those individuals. Admittedly, the Sweden international was out of action for a good chunk of last season but, in the past at least, he has been relied upon heavily to continually pull the Black Cats out of the mire. What else does he offer? Well, as a starter for ten, his commitment to the cause can’t be questioned. The passion he exudes even from the bench demonstrates he has the essential qualities to facilitate Sunderland’s great escape after great escape. However, since Sam Allardyce’s back room staff helped nurse the midfielder back to full fitness it’s ironically been his country, rather than club, that have benefited most. Speaking about Sweden’s Euro 2016 preparations recently Larsson had this to say: “I feel fresh and ready for the tournament. I started the two friendlies and didn’t have a problem in getting through either of them. I’m in good shape and so is the squad overall. It’s not often you feel completely fresh going into the summer internationals or before the championships. It’s usually the other way around, but now it feels good.” Certainly Sunderland’s number 7 was influential in Sweden’s recent friendly against Wales, despite failing to get on the score sheet. Therefore, with a solid Euro 2016 campaign under his belt could Sunderland see somewhat of a renaissance from Larsson during the 2016/17 Premier League season? Personally, I suspect not as at 31, father time is ticking away. We have witnessed his ability to get around the pitch for the full 90 minutes diminish recently too and players such as Yann M’Vila andJan Kirchhoff have usurped Seb in that midfield role. His goals from set plays have also been nigh on non-existent in the last few seasons and as a result it’s likely Big Sam will be looking elsewhere this summer. If there is any way Allardyce can generate some cash for Larsson and at the same time free up wages for re-investment in his squad then, on balance, I’d be happy for Seb to call time on his Sunderland career. After all, in football, that’s the name of the game.
I see Man United have just signed Bally for 30 mil, seems like a lot for a 51 year old but I'm sure he'll do them proud.
Can't find that on the first two pages of indexed threads either. Never mind mate - other things to think about.
