Re Xhaka. It is perhaps a deal mooted publicly that suits both parties, even if there is little substance in it. Could very well be both his agent, Bayer and us happy for the supposed interest to hang about for a day or too. One thing I know is the world of transfers ia a murky one and much of what is made public these days is brinkmanship.
For other international tournaments games are postponed if a certain number of players are called up, does anyone know if that applies for AFCON? I presume not given the concerns raised.
Sunderland’s new midfielder Habib Diarra has been tipped to be a “revelation” next season according to a top agent. Last month (30th June), Diarra completed a £30million switch to the Stadium of Light from Strasbourg, making him the club’s most expensive signing in their history. . Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness, who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs, revealed that he has been speaking to a top agent, who had told him to watch out for Diarra as he will be a revelation for Sunderland next year.. Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Sunderland will stay up in the Premier League next season, as a result of their summer business. Wyness added that Sunderland are putting together a really good squad ahead of their first season back in the top flight. He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I love what Sunderland are doing and they’re not going to make my bottom six for next year. They’re actually one of the only clubs promoted that I think have a great chance of staying up. “I was speaking to somebody that I consider to be one of the very top agents in the game yesterday, who said to watch out for Diarra at Sunderland, the signing they’ve got from Strasbourg. He thinks he’s going to be a revelation next year. “He also was paying real kudos to Sunderland in terms of the way they’re putting together their squad, regarding the quality, the youth, and the whole thing. It really bodes well.”
I never believe it until the club announces it Yes Fab is pretty spot on when he says here we go, but I know from the club I used to work for he said here we go a couple of times and the deal fell through at the last minute
That’s true but felltop here is suggesting the deal might not even be being worked on which I personally don’t believe
I think it’s a bit more than agent talk with no substance. Every single journo has reported it. All the big ones too. Even Keith Downie who clearly gets fed the club’s stance which is why he usually pours cold water on it if it’s not happening Don’t get me wrong the stuff you’ve said 100% does happen but I don’t think every single journo would report it the way they have if we weren’t working on it at all.
Could be mate. I am a naturally suspicious sod when it comes to most media these days. I am not suggesting it was never an ask and that maybe even went so far. Just pondering whether it is now dead in the water but it suits all parties to let it run for a while longer in the media. Maybe in the hope on their end a Saudi club comes in with big money. Maybe on our end it pushes and unnamed target to accept, or nudges Neil toward a deal. Just speculating on my behalf really.
One of the most frustrating players of recent sunderland imo. Talent in abundance, desire seems lacking. The lad should be playing in a decent league, but coaches dont generally want players who seem to lack desire. Hope he gives himself a talking too and buckles down. Be a shame not to see him reach his potential somewhere.
Doesn't want to play in lower league so refuses to return to training? Didn't we have a couple of lads do this when relegated to the championship? How did their careers pan out? Wrong mentality and will ultimately fail in their career as they don't have it in them to be dissapointed being in the lower league but get their head down and know a move will come if they deserve it!
clearly very talented as well, really high in loads of the performance metrics for his position but he's not allowing himself to deserve a big move
Shame, he’s very highly rated and had great stats last season playing in a relegated side. Obviously has it just needs to up his mentality to match his ability. Won’t be here though.
So is Ekwah our player or not? If not, since when, and how much did we get for him? Were ASSE forced to buy him as part of the loan deal? Why wasnt there a stipulation in the deal where that if ASSE were relegated, Ekwah would return to Sunderland? Or were ASSE not supposed to be relegation material? Basically, have ASSE therefore pulled a pre KLD 'Sunderland?'