I was told on Friday that Sunderland have spoken to the club and player whereupon they agreed a deal for a season long loan without a call back option. In my usual optimistic way I took that to mean he was coming here for certain. As you say though, we may have offered the better deal but that doesn't mean we'll get him.
It would be odd for the lad to have spent so much time up here for it not to be a goer mate so fingers crossed that we can get this one and hopefully FB & CH sorted soon.