SUNDERLAND are closing in on the signing of Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson but have a battle on their hands persuading defenders John OâShea and Wes Brown to join the club. The Black Cats have acted swiftly in the wake of Jordan Hendersonâs imminent departure and have had a £12m bid for the trio accepted by United, writes Graeme Anderson. United themselves are keen to rebuild in the wake of their Champions League defeat to Barcelona last month. And Sir Alex Ferguson would immediately recoup most of the £16m he hopes to pay for Blackburn Roversâ star centre-half Phil Jones, if the deal for the three goes through. But while agreement has been reached between the two clubs on the transfer fees to be paid, a lot of work remains to be done in talks with the players. Gibsonâs move should be the easiest to complete. The 23-year-old burst on to the scene in the 2008-09 season as one of a batch of talented young players coming through at the club, a group which included Fraizer Campbell, Danny Welbeck and Jonny Evans. But the midfielder has been unable to sustain his early impressive form and after a patchy couple of seasons at Old Trafford which have seen him come in for some tough criticism from Manchester United fans, he would welcome a move away from the club if the move was right. He has had good reports on Sunderland from all of the United players who have played at the Stadium of Light in recent years and a move to an upwardly mobile club which finished 10th in the Premier League would appeal. Getting OâShea and Brown to the Stadium of Light will not be so easy, though. Both players are internationals who will see themselves as natural Champions League standard players after a decade spent at Old Trafford. OâShea, 30, and Brown, 31, are reaching the veteran stage of their careers but will feel they still have plenty to contribute. Their ambitions might still lie with a top four side and certainly a top eight outfit and Sunderland have their work cut out in pushing those deals over the line. Both playersâ agents will be working hard on other potential destinations, now that United seem happy to let them leave. But Sunderland have declared their interest first and will hope that their early move to accquire the two defenders will give them a head start on rivals. If the moves do go through it will certainly soften the blow of Hendersonâs departure. While Gibson is not of the standard required to take Manchester United forward, he would be an asset to Sunderland. But it is OâShea and Brown who could really boost Sunderland, not only injecting genuine quality and strength into Sunderlandâs back line but also bringing versatility â both players are equally as happy at centre-half or full-back. None of these players excite me, Brown is part of the sicknote culture, Oshea used to be very good, but is he now, and Gibson, realy not sure about him, another murpy maybe, but time will tell.
Evans for me. Although I hear his form has been poor lately I'd take him all day. First class pro. Knows the club and area and most impotantly. He's only 23.
I think Evans would be a teriffic signing. He knows our club and would be a firm fans favourite. Wes Brown will keep Campbell and Gordon company more than we will see him play as he has been crocked for most of the last 3 seasons. O Shea to be fair I like and would welcome but Gibson? Who knows? At 23 and with only a hanful of games to his name I question whether he has what it takes but will have to wait and see on that one. N'Gog. No further comment.
The main problem I have with O'Shea is how would we keep him motivated. He has played at the highest level and won virtually everything for over ten years. Surly he himself could only see a move to us as the beginning of the end of a glittering career.
Cyprus - a good nights sleep later and I think we should also bury the hatchet. I guess its a lesson not to go on the web late at night? I offer a hand to you too. We may never agree on most issues surrounding the club except one. We both want SAFC to succeed? I think O Shea would become the Steve Bould figure at the club and be the defensive rock we need. I think he would relish that senior statesman role and regular football after being a utility player at Utd for most of his career. At 30 years old, he has the best years ahead of him and is a fit, injury free lad.
Gibson has something about him, goals and a bit of creativity and I would welcome him more than O'shea or Brown, looks like the Onouha deal isnt going to come off though
Frankly I can't get enthused about any of the names being bandied about because I just don't think Bruce is the man to take us on to a higher level, no matter who he brings in. Having said that, however, I would say that Gibson and N'gog are the sorts of players that can raise the level of the squad. I'm not too upset with the sale of Henderson. How much are you prepared to sell "potential" for? I would say that at £20 million, it's Liverpool who are taking the gamble. However, £20 million on Welbeck is less of a risk and I wouldn't hesitate one second. After what he did last season, esplecially his rapport with Gyan, he is more than "potential". So, with Welbeck, Gibson, N'gog and Evans, I might start thinking, "Come on, Bruce, reconvince me!" But ...
Good man. I don't know why I get myself so bloody worked up kidda after all these years. I thought that age brought wisdom but in my case it has by-passed me at times. Especially when it come to the lads. I do get very blinkered myself at times but I never mean to be aggressive even if it comes over that way at times. I allow my passions to over flow sometimes and for that I regret. Lets all hope we do get it right and the club do move forward next season and then we can debate the boredom of mid table mediocrity? God forbid
Wouldn't have thought so. Not extortionate anyhow. They've got quite a prudent wage structure from what I've read. I imagine he's maybe on £40,000-£50,000 and any lad who's spent ten+ years at united before coming to us is always going to be one of our top earners. I'd happily give him that at us.
