Ji could be going

11 January 2014 8:30

GERMAN side Augsburg have revived their interest in Ji Dong-won, the Echo understands.

And that will delight Sunderland, who stand to lose the South Korean striker for next to nothing this summer, when his contract expires.

The misfit forward has been a flop on Wearside since being signed by Steve Bruce for £2m in June 2011 – the one shining exception being the day he scored the match-winner against Manchester City on New Year’s Day 2012.

The former Chunnam Dragons attacker has managed just six starts in his two-and-a-half years at the club, scoring two goals, and head coach Gus Poyet admitted recently he had been at a loss to see how the 22-year-old would fit into his plans.

But Ji’s stock is high in Germany following a successful loan spell when he helped Augsburg escape relegation over the course of 17 games – seven of which were won; three drawn.

Incredibly, ex-head coach Paolo Di Canio turned down a £5m German bid for the striker last summer.

He claimed Ji would be an important player for the Black Cats this season – an opinion the Italian revised after seeing the forward pull out of a great heading opportunity in the 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in August.

The frankly bizarre, decision not to cash in last year, looked likely to see Sunderland miss out completely on a fee for a player who can leave for nothing in a few months.

But with the Echo having revealed that Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund – makers of that £5m bid – showing an interest in Ji this month, Augsburg have also checked on the striker’s situation

German clubs would prefer to sign Ji when he’s a free agent in the summer.

If that proves to be the case, the Black Cats would get only minimal compensation.

But Sunderland will hope that a Bundesliga side decides to bid on him now rather than risk losing out on the striker in the close season.

Ji can now talk to clubs on the continent and if several clubs are interested in his signature, Sunderland might just recoup some cash and offer greater latitude in the transfer market to head coach Gus Poyet who has included the striker in his last three squads, but admits he is struggling long-term to fit the player into his plans.

The Uruguayan told the Echo: “Ji is a very good player, but I need to find the opportunity to say to him: ‘Here you go. Don’t try to think too much about how we’re playing, just go out there and play’.

“But I haven’t known how to play him because that’s what he needs.”

 

I'm still very sceptical a £5m bid was never made let alone turned down tbh. Ji isnt worth what we paid for him let alone £5m.

If its ever proven pdc turned it down I reckon we could sue his for gross misconduct.

 

The article is nothing more than a rehash of old stories and quotes. If we can get something back forom his sale then great. But he needs to be shipped out to make way for someone who can make a difference.

 

PDC, or any manager, doesn't have the power to turn down a bid, utter horse ****.

 

Gotta cash in on him while we can, just like the likes of Cuellar and Gardner

 

Exactly. Any excuse to bring up PDC though. Like I said in a previous thread, some folk are so bitter, I pity them.

 

Completely agree mate, PDC is gone & long put to be for me.

 

Why folk would voluntary look back is beyond me mate. They should just accept we got it wrong with multiple managers and rejoice that we've finally got a good one.

 

This is it mate, without PDC being volatile, well, we wouldn't have sacked him so quick, & Gus would have been snapped up.

Gus is the first man since Reid that looks absolutely right, Bruce did well for a while, and I liked him, but Gus fills me with confidence, when he talks, he seems to say what we all see, & that's ****ing wonderful.

I prefer to remember PDC for 3-0 at St James, personally.

 

He's got it all but most importantly he's got a real grasp on the way football is evolving in this country. We're playing wonderful football if not a bit raw but he hasn't even had a transfer window yet. The bloke has the goods imo.

 

Spot on mate, we look, despite being bottom, like a Premier League team for the first time in a long time, his first signing it looks like he's nailed, and as you say, he ****ing sees things.

I just hope it's for real this time! Ha.

 

Got to agree with everything you have said Paolo's Pecs, but should your name not now be Gus's Groin or something similar??

 

Haha, aye mate, Poyets Pout? He is a pouter like.

 

Not keen on the groin/penis route, have to say.

 

Gustavo's Gonads. He dares to play proper football.

 

Poyet fills me with confidence as he actually seems to know what he is doing. He is tactically astute. Makes good substitutions. Has them trying to play football. He has A.J back TO HIS BEST. If we can get a striker or one of ours can find some form we will climb the table no problem.