Sunderland could be about to make moves for a trio of Premier League stars. Reports this weekend suggest the Black Cats’ recruitment drive is in full flow as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of the start of the new Premier League season, hoping to avoid another season of battling relegation. The first is Sebastian Coates who spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light. Head coach Dick Advocaat is understood to be keen on making the deal a permanent one after he impressed when given the opportunity during the Black Cats’ difficult run-in at the end of the campaign. Reports in the Express suggest that a deal to sign the Uruguay defender is close with a relatively low fee of £2m being reported. Coates is currently on international duty with Uruguay though in the Copa America, which will likely scupper any deal being done imminently. That has not stopped Irish website the Independent jumping the gun and confirming the permanent signing though. The defender made his first appearance at the tournament yesterday, playing the full 90 minutes as his side drew 1-1 with Paraguay. It left them third in their group, but they advance to the quarter finals as one of the two best third-placed teams. Andros Townsend is another name linked with a move to Wearside. The Sun on Sunday claim that Aston Villa - with Townsend’s former boss Tim Sherwood - were strongly interested, but add that both Sunderland and North East rivals Newcastle have entered the race for the England winger’s signiture. 2015 Getty Images please log in to view this image Andros Townsend of Tottenham In a potential blow though, Spurs are, according to the Mirror, wanting to use Townsend as a deal-sweetener to sign West Brom striker Saido Berahino. Ron Vlaar has previously been linked with a move to Manchester United with former international boss Louis van Gaal, however, reports in the Daily Star suggest a host of clubs, including the Wearsiders, are monitoring his situation. The defender’s contract at Aston Villa expires next month but links to the likes of United and Arsenal have cooled after a difficult campaign in which he struggled for form and fitness. 2014 Getty Images please log in to view this image Ron Vlaar of Aston Villa controls the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Sunderland The Star say that Sunderland, Everton and West Ham are keeping tabs on his situation though, with Villa offering the player a new deal but admitting they’re unwilling to break the bank for him. The report suggests there is also interest from abroad including Serie A and Turkey. Two deals that look to be heading in to the ‘saga’ stages continue in that trend this weekend too. Long-term target Virgil van Dijk reportedly has a number of clubs interested in him, and the latest to enter the race for his signiture is Norwich. Meanwhile, the Black Cats have already had a loan bid accepted for Arsenal right-back Carl Jenkinson, but a deal could be scuppered by West Ham - where he spent last season on loan. Reports in the Sun say that the Gunners want to offer the defender, currently with England U21s at the European Championships, a new contract but that will not result in any loan deal being off, they claim. West Ham are yet to match Sunderland’s loan offer for the player, but it is thought that if they did, he would prefer to re-join the Hammers and stay in the capital. An alternative to Jenkinson who Sunderland have been linked with is Leeds United’s Sam Byram. The Daily Star Sunday are reporting that the club have tabled a £5m bid already for the young full-back but say Leeds are holding out for a fee closer to £8m. It is widely believed that with Byram and Jenkinson it would be one or the other signing, rather than both though.
How's your little thread going? http://www.not606.com/threads/do-you-know-anyone-with-arms-the-size-of-calves.292576/ Would you like me to bump it for you to see it takes off this time? Or would it just attract more people who'll take the piss out you? You'll be looking forward to that top 8 finish and that trophy which is part of your club season objectives are you?
Can't see Vlaar leaving Villa for Sunderland. He'll either sign a new deal or join a team playing in Europe AnDross Townsend no thanks When there was all the hype two year ago I send he's just another James McClean. Can't get near spurs team.DoDon't know how the **** he's anywhere near the england set up. Coates looks a forgone conclusion
Surprised nobody seems to want Townsend, I think he's pretty good. He's like a younger Lennon but with perhaps more potential and he's got a lot of pace which we're sorely missing. I'd love to see him here.
It's not that I don't want him. I'd love to see him here too. It's just the thought of him leaving Spurs for us. It'll be the quickest way to lose his place in the England squad if he signs for us.
Ah right my bad I wasn't sure how to interpret what you'd put. I'm not sure he'd sign for us either but we've signed spurs rejects in the past so it's not exactly impossible. Hopefully he's not aware of the unwritten rule that once thou hast kicked a ball in a Sunderland strip thou shalt never play for England.
Townsend is utter ****ing gash, no better than what we have. How the **** he's anywhere near the England set up is beyond me. Woy must see summit in him like Turnip Taylor did with that plank Carlton Palmer.
Would love to have him here. Plenty of pace and very direct. I don't know why we can't attract any players, Newcastle can, and we seem to get turned down time and time again.
Don't rate Lennon either. Not a big fan of one dimensional knock and run players, they need more to their game imo.
Aye it's here too ! Sunderland AFC News And Banter Page: 15mins Stewart Downing could be heading back to the North East, with reports claiming Sunderland are chasing the England winger’s signature.
Downing has way more to his game than Townsend. Can play both sides and actually stop, put his foot on the ball and do something with it. But it would be another aging player added to an aging squad which is my main worry. Cheep on a short contract then great. But I don't want more aged players who are on long expensive contracts as they leave their prime.
Downing is a massive yes from me. Wonderful early season in attacking central midfield. Good wide option, includes goals in his game
How? They've done nowt but raid the french market and haven't brought in a big signing in years. A lot of these French players they've brought in young and their level so some have progressed above their level, they weren't better than Newcastle when they signed. Something we can attract, we've just made bad choices in the Market. Mind you, last season's mag recruitment shows their luck ran out. You sure you're not a mag? You seem to have some sort of delusional mag envy. They're ****e like us and the squad is **** like ours. Few decent players like us but on the whole ****.
