Sunderland

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Sunderland have agreed a £5million fee with Cardiff City for top scorer Michael Chopra, according to Sky Sports News.

The former Newcastle United striker enjoyed an impressive debut season at Ninian Park, notching 22 goals in 42 Championship appearances.

He also scored both goals in Cardiff's 2-1 win at Sunderland last October and is now discussing a move to the Stadium of Light.

Bluebirds boss Dave Jones recently revealed the club had fielded no offers for the 23-year-old and stressed his wish to hang on to Chopra.

But Jones also acknowledged that every player has his price and it appears Sunderland have matched Cardiff's valuation.

Roy Keane has moved for Chopra after pulling out of a £6million deal to sign David Nugent from Preston North End.

Meanwhile, Iraq international Nashat Akram is still waiting for an update on Sunderland's reported interest in his services.

The midfielder claimed last month that talks were being held over a potential move from his current Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab, but has heard nothing since.

Akram said: "I haven't heard anything. My agent is dealing with everything, but for now I am playing at the Asian Cup and I am concentrating only on this.

"I have never spoken to anyone at Sunderland, only my agent has talked to them.

"Of course I'd like to play in the Premier League, everybody wants to play there.

"I know about their coach Roy Keane and that would be good for me and good for Iraqi people."

Source: Skysports

[kennethlindheim]

The mackems wittering on about Forlan, Scholes and all that shite. All they've managed so far is SPL and Championship players. Class.

He'll do well for them in the Championship.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Originally Posted by kennethlindheim

The mackems wittering on about Forlan, Scholes and all that shite. All they've managed so far is SPL and Championship players. Class.

He'll do well for them in the Championship.

[Sven]

signed for free, sold for 5 million. Not bad .

[LAF]

Sunderland have had a £5m offer rejected by Hearts for Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon.
Neither club would discuss a possible transfer to the English Premier League newcomers for the keeper.

But, while he would not reveal the interested parties, Gordon's agent, Andy Evans, said there had been talks.

"No deal has been agreed at present, but discussions are ongoing between Hearts and at least one Premiership club," he said.

"It is by no means certain a deal will be concluded during the current transfer window.

"But this is the time Hearts can expect a maximum return on Craig as he has two years left on his contract."

Gordon has expressed his desire to play in England's top flight at some point in his career.

He rejected a transfer to Spartak Moscow in January.

Hearts assistant manager Stephen Frail said he could understand why the club would be looking for a considerable fee for Gordon.

Speaking on the club's website, Frail said: "I don't sit down and try to value players.

"The club have their own figure for him and I'm sure when they get it they might look at accepting it.

"Obviously, £5m is not in their price, they want more and it's up to them."

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Heart of Midlothian | Sunderland fail in bid for Gordon

[Sven]

Would like to see him in EPL.

Good all round keeper, good shot stopper, supraised a bigger club having gone in for him, he must be something about him, price maybe? or a big weakness in his game I don't know about.

[LAF]

Nah the guy is class. Best British 'keeper by some way. Buffon is a fan.

It's the price. Hearts want 10M+ but nobody wants to pay that for a goalkeeper. Bayern Munich and Arsenal have both been very keen but told Hearts where to go with the price. Remember they are dealing with Romanov and his army of dogs in suits.

The problem is only Arsenal needed a GK out of the top four and they just got somebody else who was miles cheaper.

[Sven]

Arsenal got their next keeper in Fabanski, so none of top 4 need one.

We spent about 10 on Cech, have to spend big on class. Spurs have the money, they should replace robinson with Gordon.

[Trim]

How much would he cost?
We were linked with him earlier in begin of 2007 (nothin recently though).

[LAF]

As I said Hearts want 10M.

He's immense. You don't appreciate how good he is all the time when he plays for Scotland. When we were playing in a friendly a little while ago the Rangers 'keeper was in goal first half and he was fine did nothing wrong, but when Gordon came on second half you could tell his class; just his charisma and how he made everything look so easy.

You'll do well to get him.

I hope he goes to a bigger club than Sunderland.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Chopra ties up Black Cats move

Michael Chopra has signed a four-year contract with Sunderland after passing a medical.

The Premier League new boys have paid an undisclosed fee, believed to be £5million, to Cardiff City for the striker.

Sunderland's bid activated a clause in Chopra's contract and the deal represents a substantial profit for Cardiff, who paid Newcastle United £500,000 only 12 months ago.

Chopra scored 22 goals in the Championship last season and Dave Jones had been hoping to hang on to the forward.

But Jones was also aware that every player has his price and will now look to fill the void at Ninian Park.

Chopra's signing is Black Cats manager Roy Keane's third of the summer after deals were struck for defensive duo Greg Halford and Russell Anderson.

Keane had been determined to bring in a new striker and withdrew a bid for David Nugent, who subsequently joined Portsmouth.

With Chopra now on board, Keane will turn to other targets as the Irishman looks to consolidate Sunderland in the top flight.

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Sunderland are widely reported to have agreed a deal with Manchester United for Kieran Richardson.

The England midfielder is now due in the North East to hold talks with a view to finalising a move to Wearside.

It is believed Sunderland have agreed to pay United £5.5 million for the 22-year-old - who has come through the youth ranks at Old Trafford.

Manchester City's new chief Sven Goran Eriksson - who gave Richardson his international debut - is also thought to be keen.

However, Richardson's former United team-mate Roy Keane appears on course to secure his signature.

Source: Skysports

I would have refused to leave United for Sunderland...

[red pisces]

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

Source: Skysports

I would have refused to leave United for Sunderland...

At least at Sunderland theres more chance of getting a game,maybe with regular football we might see what he can do,to be fair to him hes never really had a decent run in the side.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

At least he could find a better club to play for.Sunderland is shite!

[red pisces]

Maybe no-one else wanted him?