Dunne heads Sunderland list

Fri, 19 Jun 13:48:16 2009

Sunderland face an anxious wait to see if they can prise defender Richard Dunne away from Manchester City.

New boss Steve Bruce has been heavily linked with a £5million move for the 29-year-old Republic of Ireland international since his unveiling as Ricky Sbragia's replacement, despite heading straight off to resume his interrupted holiday.

Dunne has emerged as a target amid speculation big-spending City are eyeing Everton's Joleon Lescott and Arsenal's Kolo Toure this summer, but the Black Cats still do not know whether City manager Mark Hughes will be prepared to let the Dubliner leave Eastlands even if he does land his defensive targets.

And even if he is allowed to go, Sunderland are certain to face competition for a player who starred in his country's 1-1 draw in Bulgaria at the start of this month as they edged closer to next summer's World Cup finals.

In the circumstances, they are adopting a measured approach to their summer recruitment programme, which has already seen them touted as potential purchasers for a series of players in a variety of positions.

The acquisition of an experienced central defender to partner £8million signing Anton Ferdinand is a priority, with the former West Ham man having been made to pay for a series of lapses in concentration during his first season on Wearside.

Danny Collins did himself no harm once again last season whether asked to play in the middle or at left-back, although Bruce inherited a squad with little cover, with Nyron Nosworthy having missed the end of the campaign through injury and Paul McShane struggling to re-establish himself after returning from a loan spell at Hull.

Bruce has already been tipped to make a swift return to former club Wigan in an attempt to land Titus Bramble, a man who was pilloried during his time with arch-rivals Newcastle, while another Magpies old boy, Sylvain Distin, has also been mentioned in dispatches.

In addition, Frenchman Sebastien Bassong, who for the moment at least remains on the books at St James' Park, has indicated his representatives are in talks with two English clubs over a possible move, although both Arsenal and Tottenham have also been credited with having an interest in him.

He is one of the men prospective Newcastle boss Alan Shearer had hoped to keep, although the ongoing uncertainty over both his future and the club's ownership are not helping.

 

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  1. well, i assume, it is a newcastle united fan and as­ such has no business discussing football due to the­ position of the club. The fans are responsible, in­ part, for the position and as such should not comment­ about other teams players [their ability or lack of]­ considering their own teams performance during the past­ 10months.

    I should know, cause in 1995/96 i was­ scream at everyone that Ball was a bad move yet no-one­ wanted to know.
    Been there, got the badge and the­ shirt.
    Never going back and have experience of the way­ forward.

    Dunne being sold would be a suicide move by­ Hughes but tbh Hughes should be sacked and replaced by­ a capable winner like Mancini.

    From paul g, on Fri 19 Jun 10:59PM

  2. FAO MR Bruce Do not under any circumstances bring Titus­ Bramble to our Stadium, we already have enough nuggets­ to get rid of. He is no better than Davenport or Nyron­ Nolsworthy and I would rather see the latter in the­ squad than Davenport and Bramble.
    As for the other­ rumours of Bassong coming to our stadium no way do we­ want an ex reject barcoded player amongst or ranks.­ Sign Dunne but none of the others that has been­ mentioned

    From MALCOLM D, on Fri 19 Jun 8:34PM

  3. Big Big mistake sell richards he doesnt want to be at­ city
    i for 1 will be clad when hughes goes city will­ not finish in top six while in charge
    he hasnt got a­ glue cruz will be a big flop waste of money
    next­ on the exit door joe hart he wont be at city for much­ longer yes i know hes out oon loan just dont­ understand how mindless hughes has does this

    From ann d, on Fri 19 Jun 7:48PM

  4. paul g,
    why?

    From cameron w, on Fri 19 Jun 7:46PM

  5. heh, newcastleian, best keep quiet about all football­ matters at the moment ... eh?

    From paul g, on Fri 19 Jun 7:20PM

  6. bramble and dunne,couldnt catch swine flu!!

    From newcastleian1, on Fri 19 Jun 6:56PM

  7. wor lass is quicker than dunne!!

    From newcastleian1, on Fri 19 Jun 6:50PM

  8. Go on, make the move Titus; you know it's the best­ thing to do.

    From cameron w, on Fri 19 Jun 6:44PM

  9. want good and cheap signing get campbell ryce for­ barnsley

    From Marcus H, on Fri 19 Jun 6:10PM

  10. pleaseplease Dunne GO TO SUNDERLAND so i can grow my­ nails back everytime i watch you at City i know­ you're gonna make a massive clanger!

    From Chris W, on Fri 19 Jun 6:02PM

  11. Hughes is asking for big trouble if this goes through.­
    City cannot afford to lose the club captain, team­ captain and the longest serving member of the first­ team.

    He is decent for the national side but the last­ year has been ropey for city with Hughes as manager.­

    He isnt injury prone.. which is good for­ sunderland... but he still likes the odd drink [he is­ maybe turning back to his old ways] and he can lose the­ plot at times when under alot of pressure

    From paul g, on Fri 19 Jun 5:06PM

  12. dunne will be good. please not bramble.

    From DAVID, on Fri 19 Jun 4:30PM

  13. What the hell, dont want Bramble playing in my teams­ colours, was @#$% at the scum and dont know how he was­ player of the season at wigan. Keep him away.­ Wouldn't mind dunne at SUNDERLAND though.

    From baysyuk, on Fri 19 Jun 4:19PM
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