Paolo Di Canio is lining up a summer move for Burnley hot-shot Charlie Austin. The Sunderland manager has promised big changes at the end of the season and looks set to add some much-needed firepower to his squad. Di Canio has been without top scorer Steven Fletcher ever since his arrival on Wearside, while January signing Danny Graham is still yet to find the net. And now the Italian has set his sights on free-scoring Austin to solve his side's problems in front of goal. The 23-year-old has hit 45 goals in 90 appearances for Burnley since moving from Swindon - Di Canio's former club - in January 2011. But with just 13 months left on his contract, the cash-strapped Clarets could be tempted to sell this summer to avoid losing the 23-year-old on a free next year. With time running out on his current deal, Austin could be available for as little as £4m, despite hitting 28 goals in just 40 appearances for the mid-table Championship side this term. Sunderland will be confident of meeting that asking price but such a low fee will attract a long list of bidders. Relegated QPR look set to lose Loic Remy when the transfer window opens and it is understood the west London club will also be in the running for Austin. But he is unlikely to swap Burnley for another Championship side with the chance to play in the Premier League on offer. Been pushing this lad for 18 months or more now. I reckon he has all the right qualities and is ready for the ultimate step up to the EPL. Someone is going to give this lad a chance and I hope it is us. I think Rhodes was one that got away but this lad is better imo. Fingers crossed its not just Talk ****e bollocks this time. PS - Come on the Wenger Boys?
Just saw this as well think Charlie Austin would be a great buy do a swap with Danny graham everyone's a winner baby
Wickham on lone for the season as part of the deal would make a lot of sense, would be make or break for him
Could turn out to be a canny bit of business. Both he and Rhodes are good players however with Austin being somewhat cheaper he may prove to be the one. You were right about the last striker you raved about so you are probably on the right path here too. That said, "anarl"..... I thought better of you than that mate
So not only players from relegated teams - Larrson/ Gardner? whoever Sub-standard 2nd division wannabe's too. We have proved time and time again the best of the rest, or young potential, isn't working for us. Big no from me. Yet another cheap, hit and hope gamble. x
like SKP Bobby he was from lower division, they have to start somewhere, and we cant afford the top range finished product like Van Pussie
Do we not learn - why oh why do we all think we know better than people in the game. What I mean by this is not one premiership club has looked at him and because our new manager has come from lower leagues he's fit for purpose. This is worrying - Connor was bought for close to 9 million of Shorts money and hasn't played 20 games in 18 months. British players go for crazy money and are overrated. 1 or 2 million max and have as a number 5 in the squad. We need to start finding international quality not bloody championship quality that 20 premiership managers think isn't up to in. Without international players and I don't mean Scotland and Wales quality we will never improve. Yes I know Bake is Welsh and Flect is Scottish but lets not nit pick. The point I'm trying to make is players who play in quality competitions to a very high standard. Not think that because they get called up for their countries they think they've made it in the game. If we buy average players then that's the football we will get.
I wonder if and when the late great Bob Paisley bough Ian Rush from Chester City Liverpool fans were up in arms like this? This lad is a cracking player and far from being second rate, he is going to make it in the EPL. Rhodes is another who will make the grade when he gets the break too and neither will cost the earth in wages. Have a little more faith.
The price would have to be right, as well as the percentage of our transfer budget (e.g. I would never spend $4m on him if our budget were $10m). However, as a very small part of a big overhaul where we bring in another more proven striker, then a gamble could be worthwhile (e.g. $2.5m out of a budget of $20-25m). The million dollar question is - what is our budget?
Doesn't sound very happy with Wickham. Said the lad was upset in training because it was wet and that he deserved a slap. Looks like Conner is gonna be the first.
because "established" players have done so well for us when we have bought them? Who is our best player at the moment? Sess. Was he an established premier league player? I rate N'daiye better than Cattermole, and he was bought from a Turkish side. Mcclean 1st season was excellent, and he cost 200k - granted his 2nd season has been a let down, but who gives a **** for 200k ? He kept us up last season (catalyst to MON's initial success), and that was worth several million to the club. Wickham, expensive but I can see the potential there still. Needs to have a run in the team without injury. Better long term bet than Graham (who had premier league experience before coming here). Colback, came up through the ranks, not an established player when he made the squad. One of the better players at the club in terms of attitude. Would have gone down ages ago without him to cover LB and RB positions - he does a bloody good job as well Mig - Foreign player. another gamble that paid off. Same for westwood. No one gave him a chance in the premier league before us, but has done well when having to step in for Mig. Established players we bought in: Wes Brown established premier league player. He is good, but who gives a **** if he cant play due to constant injury? Ceullar - established premier league player. How many would be sad to see him go? Graham- need I say anything?
