SUNDERLAND have held talks with Carlos Cuellar’s representatives with a view to snapping up the former Aston Villa man. Transfer Your Balance with Barclaycard Premium Although no firm contract offer has been tabled to the Spanish centre-back, The Journal understands that discussions have taken place and Cuellar would favour a move to Wearside. His advisers are now waiting to hear back from Sunderland but believe that Martin O’Neill is ready to add the experienced 30-year-old to a defensive unit that is a man down after the exit of loan man Sotirios Kyrgiakos. There is interest in him from his native Spain and Germany but Cuellar would like to remain in England and would relish a reunion with O’Neill. For Sunderland’s part he represents a no-risk signing, with no fee attached and a possible two-year contract that would not break the Black Cats wage structure. Although it would seem to be a Sunderland priority to add a centre-back, O’Neill knows that the former Rangers man can play either at left-back or at right-back – which would make him a good squad option. Cuellar played at left-back earlier this year under former boss Alex McLeish. In addition, the Black Cats are ready to cash in on Titus Bramble this summer as he heads into the final year of his contract – and would be open to offers for Michael Turner. Although Sunderland seem content to bide their time on recruitment O’Neill has held informal talks with a number of out-of-contract players – while also investigating the possibility of signing Wolves striker Stephen Fletcher. The Molineux outfit insist no offer has been tabled and continue to talk tough over a £10million fee for the Scottish striker, but they are fully aware that the player is interested in moving to Wearside. The Sunderland boss has a transfer warchest to reshape his squad but must box clever this summer, with reducing the wage bill a top priority. That means free agents are on his radar while he will also be open to offers for established players at the right price. The club will also look to push through a deal for Asamoah Gyan to join Al-Ain sooner rather than later to bolster O’Neill’s transfer budget. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cannot wait for the new season to get underway it certainly ain't going to be boring being a SAFC fan! Looks like its going to be a mass overhaul of the squad and if it makes us stronger and makes us a team full of pace and power than great!!!! Cuellar will be a very good squad signing and I hear Diame is up for talks in the next 48hours then that would be a very good signing, would surely spell and end for Vaughan and Meyler IMO. Seems like MoN is getting or trying to get his work done as early as he can, reports yesterday had said he had watched Feyenoord a couple of times last season about trying to bring in Guidetti on loan and there is rumours that he went to watch Real Madrid's B/Reserve team to run the rule over a striker but was not totally convinced. http://es.eurosport.yahoo.com/30052012/47/liga-premier-persigue-jovenes-madrid.html
I think we could bring in 3 frees and a loan that could plug gaps then we still have whatever money is available for two real quality players to go straight into the first 11. Sound strategy.
Cuellar - Free Figeroa - Free Diame - Free Saha - Free Apparently Yakubu has a £1 million release clause in his contract? just give that a little pop Steven Fletcher - £6.5 Mil (I think we will cut it down to that, as eventually they will need to get him off the wage bill) Loanee's - Tiene Just some idea's for potential transfers, I think we should go for Saha, played the same system at Everton so will be used to it, think he could be a very good signing for a year or maybe two!
Not a fan of Figueroa but as you have pointed out in the other three there is some good free transfer's to be had and there is still some others that would do a good job for us... Junior Hoilett, Manuel Fernandes and Hugo Rodallega. As for Left Back I see you have mentioned Tiene at PSG now I would take him as for loans there is Guidetti we were linked with yesterday, Bertrand at Chelsea who could be available along with Lukaku and I would imagine the impressive Miyachi at Arsenal will be off onloan again. MoN is a very smart guy if he can get most of his business done with free's and low fee transfers (I wouldn't imagine Tiene will cost a bomb) and not forgetting a couple of loans we can keep our money back for 1 or 2 top players Fletcher being one
Hoilett is very similar to Campbell and I think it would be difficult to try and accommodate Hoilett especially with clubs like Tottenham in for him Manuel Fernandes I would definetly have, however if Diame is signing as well as Fernandes, and at a stretch Johnson, then at least 2 players have to be leaving the midfield... Gardener and Meyler would probably be the two (even though id prefer Meyler given a chance) Rodellega... If you were to get Saha, Yakubu and Fletcher, do you really need him? I admit he is a good player but if you have them 3 strikers then I dont believe you need him with Wickham and Ji
for starters mate I think we will set up 4/2/3/1 with 2 wingers getting down the line, the big man upfront by himself and Sess playing off him. firstly we need to keep Sess, secondly as for the midfield I personally think if decent offers come in for Vaughan, Meyler, Gardner and maybe even Cattermole they will go, I wouldn't imagine all to go but I wouldn't be surprised if 2 of them are moved on this summer. I would love to see Fernandes and Diame just infront of the back 4 with Colback pushing for a place but we will have to see on that. It would be a long shot for us to get either Hoilett or Johnson let alone both but we should and I hope we are doing everything we can to bring these two in especially if Sess goes Hoilett can play like he did for Blackburn in that role just behind the striker. As for Saha, Yakubu and Fletcher, I would bet money we only play with 1 main striker and I cannot see two of these guys being willing to sit on the bench. Not forgetting I would imagine we will sign a goalkeeper as our third choice so its certainly going to be a busy summer for the club
Decent player, on for the squad............. As for the rest, it's fun and games guessing who may come, but really non of us has a clue............
Going off O'Neill's prefered style of football, it wouldn't surprise me if you adopt a 4,5,1 next season with a big target man (who'll you'll buy this summer) and a pacier right winger dropping Larson into the right side of midfield, the same sort of role to Barton for a time at Newcastle. He likes to break with pace but I don't think you could justify dropping Larrson considering the number of points he got for you this season (especially at the start of O'Neill's reign)
Wouldnt touch Cuellar with a ten foot barge pole, for crying out loud he couldnt even get into a struggling team fighting relegation last season...nope not good enough for me
Not think thats maybe because Mcleish didnt like/favour him? He was part of MONs squad when they achieved 6th...
I don't rate Cuellar but who knows, I did not rate Brown or Bramble and on the field both have been decent. With Lambert on his way to Villa and can see it even more likely we sign Holt, which I am in favour of.
Looks like you will be trying to emulate our strategy of quality at bargain prices. There bit where it said "established" talent, screams to me that older players will be approached rather than young players with their careers ahead of them, lets hope you don't get in a load of mercenaries who are just there for the wrong reason. Are you lot happy with Cuellar though? I always thought he looked too slow for the premier league and he's hardly a spring chicken. Are these really the kinds of players that will take the club forward?
