SUNDERLAND will turn their attention to landing attacking recruits after completing the signing of Carlos Cuellar. But the capture of the Spaniard will not spark a glut of arrivals on Wearside, with Sunderland not thought to be close to landing any of their other summer targets. Bosman arrival Cuellar was unveiled as Martin OâNeillâs first permanent signing as Sunderland boss yesterday after putting the final touches to a two-year deal with the Black Cats over the weekend. The 30-year-old provides a bargain addition to Sunderlandâs defensive options, although the former Rangers manâs arrival inevitably raises questions over the future of fellow central defenders Titus Bramble, Matt Kilgallon and Michael Turner. OâNeill will now look to boost Sunderlandâs forward line with his attacking options thin on the ground. The end of Nicklas Bendtnerâs loan spell, coupled with Asamoah Gyanâs imminent permanent switch to the Middle East, leaves Stephane Sessegnon, Fraizer Campbell and rookies Connor Wickham and Ji Dong-won as the only strikers at OâNeillâs disposal. Sunderland have long been credited with an interest in Wolves hitman Steven Fletcher, while Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor is understood to be a target too. OâNeill is also keen to add more creativity out wide and remains in the hunt for Blackburn winger Junior Hoilett, while Republic of Ireland international Aiden McGeady continues to be linked with a move to the Stadium of Light. But there are unlikely to be further arrivals before the bulk of the squad returns to pre-season training next week, as OâNeill bides his time over new recruits. OâNeill will be delighted to have Cuellar on board though after tracking the defender for several months. There was plenty of interest in Cuellar following the conclusion of his Aston Villa stint, with Seville and Malaga both keen to take the Spaniard back to his homeland. But Cuellar was eager to remain in the Premier League and jumped at the chance to work under OâNeill for a second spell after the Sunderland boss spent almost £8million to take the defender to Villa Park in 2008. âEver since I heard the rumour that Sunderland were interested in signing me, I wanted to come here,â Cuellar told safc.com. âTo work again with the gaffer Martin OâNeill and with everyone talking so well about the club, I didnât have any problem and said straight away I wanted to come. âHe is so clever, he knows everyone very well and knows how to push everyone to get 100 per cent out of them. âHe gets the best from every player and brings them together to make his teams very competitive. âHe did so well at Villa. I know how hard he works and what he can do with his teams. âThe manager is one of the best. He knows me and I know him. Everything is easy. âI have been happy working with him before and I wanted to do that again.â Cuellar made 94 Premier League appearances for Villa, predominantly in his favoured position of central defence, although OâNeill also used him as a right-back. âI am very excited and want to start straight away,â he added. âI am the happiest man to be here, to work and try to show my skills and quality. âI think we are going to be a hard team to beat. We have good players with quality and can play face-to-face against everyone in the league.
Skybet have put us from 10/1 to 11/10 to sign Holt. Holt has closed his twitter account apparently to dodge criticism from Norwich fans as his move away from the club looks imminent. Apparently West Ham have admitted defeat after being priced out. Fee reported to be £5m
Agree but Hoillet can have CL football if he wants it. If he did stay in England there'd be 5 or 6 teams he'd pick before us I reckon
I quite like Holt. Big, strong & powerful, he's hard to handle. 15 league goals from 35 app's last season, most of them from the bench.
