The official Sunderland AFC Thread

The official Sunderland AFC Thread @4chan

News/Chat/Talk/Signings

Continued from the other threads:
http://dis.4chan.org/read/sports/1365944897/
http://dis.4chan.org/read/sports/1224778737/

In the end zone - in the six

Several out-of-contract players have been released including Titus Bramble, Matthew Kilgallon, Ryan Noble, Adam Reed and Ben Wilson. Loan players Danny Rose and Kader Mangane have returned to their parent clubs.

SAFC RETAINED LIST AS OF May 2013

Goalkeepers
Simon Mignolet, Keiren Westwood, Jordan Pickford, Joel Dixon

Defenders
Phil Bardsley, Carlos Cuellar, Wes Brown, John O’Shea, David Ferguson, Scott Harrison, Liam Marrs, Connor Oliver, John Egan, Louis Laing, Jordan Watson

Midfielders
Lee Cattermole, Sebastian Larsson, Craig Gardner, Jack Colback, David Vaughan, Alfred N’Diaye, Adam Johnson, James McClean, Ahmed Elmohamady, Stephane Sessegnon, Alejandro Gorrin, Billy Knott, Adam Mitchell, Craig Lynch, George Honeyman

Strikers
Steven Fletcher, Danny Graham, Connor Wickham, Mikael Mandron, Ji Dong-won, Jordan Laidler.

http://www.thewebcomiclist.com/o/8538

Sunderland agree deal with Lazio to sign Modibo Diakité

Sunderland have agreed a deal with Lazio to sign Modibo Diakité, further evidence of Paolo Di Canio's determination to rebuild.

Sunderland looking to wing it! Fenerbache's Krasic says Black Cats want to sign him

Fenerbache winger Milos Krasic has confirmed Sunderland are interested in signing him.

The Serb, 28, moved to Turkey from Juventus last summer but has struggled to break into the team.

His lack of games means Sunderland may struggle to get a work permit for him as well as meet his high wage demands.

Cabral to join Paolo Di Canio's Sunderland from Basle, says agent

Cabral, a defensive midfielder who can also play at centre-back, has agreed to join Sunderland from Basel on a four-year contract, his agent has told the Swiss newspaper Blick. The 24-year-old, who was born in Cape Verde but represented Switzerland up to Under-21 level, is out of contract in June.

When it came to selecting Sunderland’s worst signing of the 2012-13 season, supporters had eyes for only one man – Danny Graham.

The Tyneside-born, former Middlesbrough forward was a £5million January transfer window signing from Swansea and proved to be a goalscorer who simply could not score goals for Sunderland.

He was bought by Martin O’Neill, primarily as cover for Steven Fletcher.

That proved not to be a bad move for the former manager, for Fletcher got crocked in March and was not to play for the rest of the season.

Unfortunately for Graham – and, ultimately, for O’Neill – the goalless run the new man had been on before Fletcher was injured, continued after the Scot was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.

It was hard not to feel a little sorry for Graham, who often carried the attack on his own up front and was full of willing running and lay-off play in a team which created few chances.

But there was no getting away from the fact that Graham failed to score in any of the unlucky 13 games he played for the Wearsiders last term.

And when it come to that goalless streak, Sunderland fans were in unforgiving mood.

In the Echo’s Survey 2013, the 27-year-old polled almost twice as many votes for Sunderland’s worst signing than all the other signings PUT TOGETHER.

He was streets ahead of Louis Saha in second place and James McFadden in third – those two polling well ahead of the rest of the back but a long, long way behind Graham, who attracted almost two out of every three votes cast.

“A pointless signing and a big wage,” said Philip Fenwick, of Sacriston, of Saha.

While Graeme Anderson, (not the Echo writer!) of Meadow Grove, Sunderland, spoke for many when he described McFadden’s signing as: “A waste of time.”

An oversight saw Adam Johnson excluded from the list of disappointing signings and many respondents to the survey pointed out that he would have been their choice.

It was Graham’s signing, though, which attracted most comments.

Brian Tyson of Silksworth, said: “He should never have been signed.

“It was a statement of a lack of ambition from Martin O’Neill and from Sunderland.

“O’Neill should be made to pay the fee out of any settlement he receives! Di Canio should cut our losses this summer if possible.”

Grant Macdonald, of South Shields, said: “He looks a Championship player – he looks slow and cannot time his jumps.

“Most of his career has been in the Championship and I think that’s his level.”

David Bowden, from Leicestershire, queried: “What was Martin O’Neill thinking about?”

One harsh reader said: “He couldn’t score on a night out, never mind on a pitch.”

But there was a kind word from Chris Jobes. of Boldon Colliery, who said: “I picked Danny Graham for worst signing. but I think he’ll be better after a full pre-season.”

SIMON MIGNOLET is unlikely to pen a new contract at Sunderland, according to the goalkeeper’s agent.

Sunderland have been in talks since March over extending Mignolet’s deal at the Stadium of Light, in a bid to tie down the club’s prize asset, who still has another two years left to run on his Black Cats contract.

But those discussions have now stalled and Sunderland are potentially facing a huge dilemma after Mignolet’s representative, ex-Birmingham City keeper Nico Vaesen, said that he doesn’t expect the Belgian to extend his stay at the club beyond 2015.

Mignolet has always professed his happiness at Sunderland and will make no attempt to orchestrate a move away from the Black Cats, while boss Paolo Di Canio has publicly stressed his determination for the keeper to remain in red and white.

The 24-year-old was also quick to rubbish talk in February that he was looking to join a bigger club to boost his international chances after comments from ex-Belgium international Guy Vandersmissen, who represents the stopper.

But Vaesen also acts as an intermediary for Mignolet and his comments will only fuel speculation surrounding the ex-St Truiden man’s future, with Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Napoli all circling.

When asked on the status of the contract talks, Vaesen told the Echo: “There is no progress.

“I think it is very unlikely that he will sign a new contract.

“Simon has obviously come to a point where he wants to step up a level and there is a lot of interest in him.

“He is very ambitious and wants to play in the World Cup, in Brazil, next year.

“It was a good thing that Sunderland stayed up and it is a fantastic club where he has had three great years.

“But it is maybe time to step up a level and play for a club competing for a European spot.”

Sunderland remain in a strong position regarding Mignolet and will still hope to keep last season’s outstanding performer on Wearside.

But without a new contract on the table, it increases the likelihood of Sunderland being forced to cash in on Mignolet either this summer or in 12 months time.

The Black Cats would be able to command a huge fee – certainly far in excess of the meagre £6.5million figure mooted over the weekend – for Mignolet and have a ready-made replacement on their books in Keiren Westwood.

Neither is their any move from Mignolet’s camp to fast-track a switch to a club able to boast European football.

Vaesen added: “All teams that are interested in Simon, we direct them to Sunderland.

“He still has a two-year contract there and any interested clubs have to agree a price with Sunderland first.

“That is the way we conduct our business.”

Sunderland look to Scott Parker as midfielder faces Tottenham exit

The 33-year-old suffered an injury plagued season in Andre Villas-Boas' first year in charge of the club - making only 15 league starts.

And the Spurs manager has indicated that it is a priority to replace the England international over the summer.

Villas-Boas is keen to conclude a deal for Manchester City's Gareth Barry and raise the £4million needed with the sale of Parker.

Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio is looking to overhaul his squad to improve upon last season's 17th place finish and sees the former Newcastle midfielder as his top transfer target this summer.

The Italian earlier this week secured his first three signings as manager, bringing in Valentin Roberge, Cabral and Modibo Diakite.

Young French midfielder El-Hadji Ba has also agreed to join the Black Cats as Di Canio looks to bolster his midfield.

Parker joined Tottenham from West Ham for £5million in 2011 under Harry Redknapp and helped the club finish fourth and reach an F.A. Cup semi-final during his first season.

SUNDERLAND’S attempts to exploit the Italian market will lead to a follow-up bid for Inter Milan prospect Alfred Duncan next week.

The Black Cats have had a bid of around £5million turned down for the Ghana midfielder, who is regarded as one of the club’s most promising young players. But Italian sources have indicated that new chief scout Valentino Angeloni has posted a ringing endorsement of the youngster and has advised another offer closer to the Italian giants’ £7million asking price.

Sunderland owner Ellis Short has made a significant transfer fund available to Paolo Di Canio and his new-look scouting team this summer, but there is an instruction there to seek value – unless they can raise significant money through sales.

That has prompted the club to entertain potential interest in Stéphane Sessègnon among others, although the signing of players like Duncan would not be dependent on departures.

Short’s demand is that no more players whose value depreciates immediately should be signed on long contracts, but there may be leeway when it comes to younger players like Duncan.

Sunderland’s exhaustive attempts to recruit virtually an entirely new starting XI this summer have no doubt caused supporters’ heads to spin, with almost daily links emerging to players based in Italy and France – the chosen markets of the club’s new recruitment team.

The reality of the situation is that Sunderland have a core group of targets, and many of the other links are merely enquiries made on behalf of the club by former agent Roberto Di Fanti, who is the club’s Director of Football.

As you would expect, Di Fanti is using his extensive contacts to try and secure deals for as many new recruits as possible.

The Journal understands that there may be up to 10 new faces when Sunderland return for pre-season training in July – a remarkably swift turnover given the ponderous pace with which the club conducted business under Martin O’Neill.

In this environment, agents are understandably using Sunderland’s name to promote their clients, and links with Johan Elmander can be placed in that category.

Duncan represents a cast-iron target, however, along with Livorno forward Paulinho and Lazio full-back Luis Pedro Cavanda, who has been earmarked as a replacement for the departing Phil Bardsley.

Di Canio’s stated desire to completely rebuild the squad was voiced with full knowledge that this would be a whirlwind summer for the club, and it has proved to be just that.

Saint-Etienne midfielder Josuha Guilavogui is another player that Sunderland have enquired about but at the moment their main area of interest appears to surround 20-year-old Duncan, who has one senior cap for Ghana and spent the second half of last season at Livorno.

Other names linked to the Black Cats include Palermo striker Abel Hernandez and Inter Milan’s Joel Obi – whose agent confirmed Sunderland were one of a number of Premier League clubs monitoring his client.

Another long-term Sunderland target, Mauro Zarate, would be interested in a move to the Black Cats, according to his agent.

Luis Ruzzi said: “Sunderland would be a viable solution because they are a great club and the Premier League is an attractive option.”

The Argentinian striker, currently with Lazio, spent half of the 2007-08 season on loan at Birmingham City.

Mackems pls

Mackems pls

Mackems pls

>>9
>>10
>>11
See this is the IQ level of most/all dirty mags, below 2.

The Italian has warned the Black Cats squad they must be ready for pre-season training or they could face fitness problems in September which could hamper their campaign

Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio has warned his players that they will face a fine if they return to pre-season training more than two kilograms overweight.

The Italian's disciplinary actions at the Stadium of Light, which included fining players, were investigated by the Professional Footballers' Association in May.

Di Canio insists his squad must arrive from their holiday prepared for their pre-season campaign and claims it is normal for Premier League clubs to fine their players.

"Obviously the players have a programme to follow so that they are ready when pre-season begins," Di Canio told The Sun.

"When we start, we will start not that heavy, but there will still be a great deal to do and they have to be ready.

"It's normal in the Premier League, that players get punishment for breaking rules set down by the club.

"Everyone who comes back with more than two kilograms over what their weight should be, we're going to fine them.

"We test them before they go so everyone knows how they finished the season."

Di Canio believes it is vital for players to maintain their fitness throughout the summer and warns that poor conditioning prior to the season will have a negative impact at the start of the campaign.

"When they come back they're going to work three times a day, so it would be crazy to have put too much weight on in a short space of time," he added.

"How can it be possible to come back with seven kilograms extra?

"They have one month off and then one month to work at a high-intensity level and if they do not do that right, then in September, they'll still be heavy.

"You can't work if you've put seven kilograms on your shoulders.

"When I played, I came back with a player who was 10 or 11 kilograms over and he didn't play all season because he had injury problems."

There are not enough trees left on the planet to pulp if we were to profile every player linked with Sunderland in these pages.

Three players have been signed. Many more have been scouted, mentioned, spoken to over the past month or so.

The club last week confirmed the appointments of Roberto De Fanti as director of football and chief scout Valentino Angeloni.

Sunderland have already acquired former FC Basel midfielder Cabral, defensive duo Modibo Diakite from Lazio and Valentin Roberge of Maritimo.

But the club are far from finished. This makes a big change form Martin O’Neill procrastinating.

Here we take a look at the players Sunderland are interested in this summer.

ABEL HERNANDEZ

A STRIKER with Palermo, the 22-year-old Uruguayan is desperate to leave Italy, which is a plus. Currently in Brazil for the Confederations Cup, this would be an exciting signing if he does end up on Wearside.

Agent Pablo Betancourt teated: “Abel has admirers in Italy, but also in England.”

JONATHAN BIABIANY

ANOTHER striker, this time with Parma, is a 25-year-old who can also play wide of a lone centre-forward.

Sky Italia, who have been bang on with their Sunderland stories this summer, revealed Di Canio was looking at the Frenchman who enjoys electric pace and has a bit of a temper.

The problems is that he is 50/50 owned by Sampdoria and Parma. This always spells trouble.

LUIS PEDRO CAVANDA

A RIGHT-BACK who would be brought in to replace Phil Bardsley who will be sold next month. Probably.

Another Lazio player, the Belgian is an excellent player who at 21 has years in him.

This is definitely one to watch.

MAURO ZARATE

HAS been linked with Sunderland for over a year now. The Argentine, another Lazio player, is 26 and is a genuine playmaker, but would cost a few bob. He might be worth it.

His agent, Luis Ruzzi, is another tease. He said: “Sunderland? They would be a viable solution because it is a great club and the Premier League is very charming.”

ALFRED DUNCAN

THE Inter Milan Ghanian midfielder is apparently a favourite of Angeloni, which augers well.

He is big, powerful and doesn’t let much get past him.

Sunderland have already had one bid for �5m turned down, but that won’t put them off. He ticks a lot of boxes.

JOSHUA GUILAVOGUI

THIS is another long-term target.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who is at Saint Etienne, was named in Ligue 1 team of the season.

Guilavogui has been quoted extensively about his wish to move to England.

ALESSANDRO ROSINA

THE Siena winger is at 29 older than what the new regime would want, but the Benin international is being lined up as a replacement for fellow countryman Stephane Sessegnon. Rosina began his career at Parma before moving on to Torino and then Zenit St Petersburg. He has been in fine form for the Tuscan club by bagging five goals in 25 appearances.

Sunderland could do with some genuine experience.

PAULINHO

THE one player that really excites, but the one transfer that probably definitely won’t happen.

A Brazilian midfielder with poise and skill, he plays for Corinthians and is rated at �17m.

The last bit if why he is likely heading to Tottenham.

SAFC stars of the future could hail from Tanzania, thanks to a ground-breaking new partnership.

The club is lending its expertise to the East African nation, with the creation of a football academy programme which will nurture the sporting talent of the country’s youth.

President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency Dk Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, met with SAFC chairman Ellis Short and club chief executive Margaret Byrne for a tour of the Stadium of Light and Academy of Light today.

They saw how the club’s facilities could help at the Tanzanian academy, which will be built by global electricity giant Symbion Power.

The president said: “It’s always been my dream to see Tanzania become a major football nation.

“The people of Tanzania love football more than any other sport, but unfortunately we’re not doing so well at it.”

The president said he had been inspired by the budding footballers he saw from the Foundation of Light youth programmes who showed off their pitch skills for the African delegation.

He added: “Seeing the talents of prospective footballers today, I believe this is the way for Tanzania to go.”

During the tour, plans were unveiled for the building of a community football facility in Dar es Saalem, the largest city in Tanzania.

The next phase will see the creation of an elite academy programme and facilities to support Tanzania in the development of young footballers.

SAFC has become one of the most recognised clubs across the African continent in recent seasons,thanks to a number of initiatives such as its links with Invest in Africa and becoming the first football club in the world to form a partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Speaking to the Echo, Margaret Byrne, who will be part of a SAFC delegation who will visit Tanzania next month, said: “Invest in Africa last year catapulted us into certain areas where we were able to form various partnerships and build links in countries as well as with Symbion Power.

“It’s all about people recognising the club and being able to develop players at a young age.

“Ultimately, we would like the whole continent to know about SAFC.”

She added: “It’s been a great privilege to have the president come here to Sunderland.”

Ellis Short said: “We are delighted to welcome Tanzania to the Sunderland family, further enhancing our club’s relationship with the African continent.

“This exciting partnership, combining football and community engagement, will enable us to share our expertise to help Tanzania develop an effective football infrastructure.”

Sunderland target Scott Parker as Black Cats revamp continues under Paolo Di Canio
 
Parker's Shitcastle connection could be a stumbling block, but the Wearside club are keen on making the midfielder Di Canio's first big-name English signing

Wanted man: Scott Parker is a target for Sunderland
AP
Scott Parker has emerged as a target for Sunderland.

The Wearside club is being ­re-vamped under manager Paolo Di Canio – and Parker could be his first high-profile English signing.

Di Canio has already secured three players on Bosman transfers and he is determined to bring in more new faces to ensure there is no repeat of last season’s relegation battle.

Central defender Valentin ­Roberge and midfielders Cabral and Mobido Diakite will arrive at the Stadium of Light next month.

And they are the immediate result of two key appointments by Di Canio.

Roberto De Fanti is the new ­Director of Football at the club while his ­fellow Italian Valentino Angeloni has joined Sunderland from Inter Milan as chief scout.

Parker has two years left on his contract at White Hart Lane but, at 32, Tottenham could well listen to offers around the £4million mark. Spurs have good cover in midfield with the likes of Sandro and Moussa Dembele.

Plenty in reserve: Moussa Dembele and Sandro provide Tottenham with enough cover
Getty
 
And Parker might well relish the chance to play regular first team football if his chances at Tottenham are to be restricted.

The one stumbling block could be Parker’s Newcastle connection.

He played at St James’s Park before moving to West Ham and then ­Tottenham.

But if Sunderland ­decide that would not be handicap, Parker could be their midfield general next season.

If Sunderland decide not to pursue their ­interest, there will be no shortage of clubs willing to take Parker. Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp is keen to bring his team straight back to the Premier League after relegation in May and would love to have Parker at Loftus Road.

It was Redknapp who signed him for Tottenham during his spell at White Hart Lane and he is a huge fan of Parker’s professionalism and influence.

Liverpool bound: Simon Mignolet is set to join the Anfield club
PA
 
The problem could be persuading Parker to drop down a division.

Meanwhile, Liverpool  will meet ­Sunderland’s £10m ­valuation for goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

Anfield offers ranging from £6.5m to £9m for the Belgian have been ­rejected. But Kop chief executive Ian Ayre has postponed a scheduled trip to attend a football conference in Brazil to complete the deal.

Mignolet wants to “step up a level" after his crucial role in last season’s relegation battle, while Di Canio is happy with Republic of Ireland keeper Keiren Westwood.

England U19 international ­Jordan Pickford, 19, will be back-up.

Highly-rated Le Havre defender Benjamin Mendy has emerged as the latest name to be linked with a move to the Stadium of Light.

According to FootMercato, Mendy is the subject of interest from Lyon and Marseille but it's believed Sunderland are at the front of the queue.

The position of left-back has been the subject of a lot of conjecture since the end of the season, with Danny Rose returning to Tottenham after his loan spell expired leaving us without a recognised left-back in the squad.

Recent reports suggested that Tigre's Lucas Orban was the player we wanted to fill that position, with his agent claiming we had made an offer and were waiting for the Argentine season to be over before Orban made his decision. However, with Tigre's season having another week left to run and the return to pre-season edging closer, it looks like Sunderland are actively working on other options.

Mendy, who has been referred to as the 'new Evra', turns 19 next month, so could be lined up for a move to the development squad, like his former Le Havre teammate El-Hadji Ba, who recently signed a 3-year-contract with Sunderland. He had also recently been linked with a move to Arsenal and Juventus.

With the club having so many irons in the fire with regards to left-backs, it will be interesting to see whether that means the club is now resigned to losing out on Danny Rose. With such a high turnover of players expected, it seems unlikely that the club will spend so much of their budget on two established left-backs.

"The Abolition of the White Race" - Scott Roberts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96OKlOdtWos

SUNDERLAND want AZ Alkmaar striker Jozy Altidore, the Echo can reveal.

The young American has developed into a goal machine since his switch to Dutch football two seasons ago.

And head coach Paolo Di Canio believes the 23-year-old can improve even further and be a major success in the Premier League second time around.

Altidore, a teenage prodigy in his home country, was raw, by his own admission, when he played out an unremarkable loan spell at Hull City in the 2009-10 season on loan from Spanish side Villarreal.

But last season he smashed Clint Dempsey’s single-campaign goals record for an American player in Europe, (23, which Dempsey set the previous season at Fulham), when he scored 31 goals for AZ.

It was the second goal-laden season in a row for the bustling 6ft 1in forward, who scored 17 in his debut season with the Dutch side.

The maturing front-man perfectly fits the template that Ellis Short and Di Canio are seeking for Sunderland’s future – young, strong, powerful players but with scope for improvement.

Sunderland looked at him last summer but, one year on, Altidore is ear-marked as one of their chief targets of the close-season.

The Black Cats will hope to buy him for a reasonable fee.

Although Villarreal signed the then 18-year-old prospect for a hefty £7m in 2008, he is expected to cost less than that to buy this summer – despite his recent goalscoring record.

Short would hope to get his man for as little as £5m as AZ look to cash in.

But half a dozen Premier League clubs are also interested in the American forward, who has scored in each of his last four appearances for the USA.

That might drive the price up much higher, but Altidore is one of Sunderland’s top targets for the summer and they will fight all the way to land him.

He would be the first American that Missouri-born Short has bought in his time at the helm at Sunderland and would only enhance interest in the Wearsiders in the States.

A shared nationality might just benefit Sunderland in negotiations but a surprise pull for Altidore could be the presence of Di Canio at the Stadium of Light.

Altidore credits much of the improvement in his game to the presence of fractious AZ coach Gertjan Verbeek, whose no-nonsense hard-line methods he believes have brought the best out of him.

The chance to work with Di Canio, who is similarly as dedicated and outspoken, might well appeal to the level-headed striker who is ambitious to make the very most of his talents.

Altidore suffered from inconsistency earlier in his career which have led to goal droughts – he scored only one goal while on loan to Hull.

But he is developing into a technically-gifted player who can score goals of all descriptions and works hard for the team.

If he moved to the Stadium of Light this summer, he could expect to be one of the club’s first choice strikers next season.

Sunderland have rekindled their interest in US international striker Jozy Altidore.

The Black Cats were tracking the frontman last summer and did not follow up their interest – but are now ready to launch a concerted effort to bring him to Wearside.

Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio is desperate to bring in more firepower ahead of the new season.

Altidore is his top target after scoring 31 goals for AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch League last season – a record for an American playing in Europe.

The 23-year-old started his career with MLS side New York Red Bulls before making a £7m move to Spanish side Villarreal in 2008.

However, he made only a handful of appearances in his three years with the La Liga outfit and spent most of his time out on loan. His loan spells included a season in the Premier League with Hull City in 2009-10.

However, he scored just once in 28 top-flight outings as the Tigers were relegated.

Sunderland fans will remember Altidore being sent off for headbutting Alan Hutton at the KC Stadium.

Altidore's career took off when he left Villarreal for Alkmaar in 2011 and he scored 17 goals in his first season in Holland before almost doubling that total last term.

Now Di Canio wants to hand him a second chance in the Premier League.

Sunderland have switched tack in the transfer market and their all-Italian player recruitment team of director of football Roberto De Fanti and chief scout Valentino Angeloni are concentrating on sourcing young talent with room for improvement – and Altidore fits that description.

Altidore cost Villarreal around £7m five years ago but Alkmaar picked him up for a knockdown fee of £1.5m.

Alkmaar will expect a healthy profit if he moves on and, while the Werasiders will be keen to avoid over-paying, they are aware Altidore's goal record means there are a number of Premier League sides weighing up a move for the 60-times-capped international.

Sunderland are also on the trail of Argentinian left-back Lucas Orban, who plays for Buenos Aires side Tigre.

The player's agent Filippo Colasanto claims the Wearsiders have enquired about the 24-year-old, but says there has also been interest from Spain.

Simon Mignolet's proposed transfer to Liverpool has taken a significant step forward after the Reds agreed a fee in excess of £11million

We reported yesterday that Udinese rejected an £8m bid from an unnamed Premier League club for Vydra, who was irrepressible while on loan at Watford last season.

The 21-year-old Czech international has previously expressed his desire to have a crack at the Premier League, having suffered play-off final heartache at Wembley.

Vydra's agent confirmed that Sunderland are interested in a loan option.

"It is correct that Sunderland are interested, but they are interested in a loan at the moment," Ondrej Chovanec told The Journal.

Paolo Di Canio is considering a loan option for Matej Vydra

It is correct that Sunderland are interested, but they are interested in a loan at the moment
Matej Vydra's agent

"They don't want to spend that money at the moment.

"Of course it is very interesting. I know Di Canio from when he was a player because I was the agent of Tomas Repka, who also played for West Ham."

Vydra helped himself to 22 goals in the Championship last term.

Sunderland want Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone to replace Liverpool-bound Simon Mignolet.

Liverpool are close to signing Mignolet, 24, after tabling a bid of £8m for the Belgium international.

Former Italy Under-21 keeper Mannone, 25, accepts he will never be a first-team regular at Arsenal having played just 15 times in seven years at the Emirates.

 
One in, one out? Sunderland could move for Vito Mannone if Simon Mignolet leaves for Liverpool

Mignolet is set to replace Pepe Reina at Liverpool but the Spaniard claimed on Thursday that it is not certain that he will leave Anfield for his old club Barcelona.

‘In principle my plan is to continue with Liverpool,’ said Reina. ‘I have three years left on my contract and I want to fulfil that and even go further.’

Sunderland are interested in signing PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Jereon Zoet.

Zoet has spent the last two seasons on loan at Eredivisie rivals RKC Waalwijk and has been watched by Sunderland whilst playing for Holland Under-21s in the European Under-21 Championship in Israel.

Holland qualified from the group stage only to be knocked out by Italy in the semi-finals last week.

The highly rated keeper was also linked with Fulham last summer but PSV were said to have rejected their offer.

Paolo Di Canio's pursuit of Zoet is bound to raise question marks over Simon Mignolet's future at the club.

The Black Cats' current number one is reportedly being chased by Liverpool.

In a surprise move Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio is aiming to sign AZ Alkmaar striker Jozy Altidore this summer, according to the Sun.

The USA international will be best known to Premier League fans for the season Altidore spent at Hull City in 2009/10.

However, the forward could not establish himself in England managing just two goals in 30 matches for the Tigers, making Di Canio’s decision all the more of a gamble.

In between Hull and the Eredivisie the American has spent time at Villarreal and Bursaspor, although failed to establish himself at either before heading to Alkmaar.

Yet in the Netherlands Altidore has flourished and shown examples of the talent Hull thought he would have, scoring 38 league goals in two seasons.

Although still only 23-years-old the striker has earned an impressive 55 caps for his country to date and netted 13 times.

If Di Canio does secure the services of the American it will further show the Italian’s intentions at Sunderland as he continues to overhaul the squad.

Defenders’ Titus Bramble and Matthew Kilgallon were not given new contracts at the Stadium of Light this summer, whilst Modibo Diakite of Lazio, FC Basel’s Cabral and Valentin Roberge from Maritimo have all joined on free transfers and David Moberg Karlsson has signed from Goteborg.

Altidore is likely to set the Black Cats back £5m however due to his success at Alkmaar, but Di Canio is willing to pay that as he is keen for the forward to partner Steven Fletcher up front.

Sunderland will face competition from Lazio, PSV Eindhoven and Schalke for the American’s signature though.

LEE Cattermole’s future at Sunderland is the subject of scrutiny in several Sunday newspapers.

The Sunday Sun leads the way with the suggestion that the skipper’s injury record could persuade Paolo Di Canio to cash in on the 25-year-old as he looks to rebuild.

The paper says that alert Hull City boss Steve Bruce, who originally made Cattermole Black Cats captain when he was boss at the Stadium of Light.

The Sun on Sunday though reports that Stoke City boss Mark Hughes could also be interested in the former Middlesbrough and Wigan midfielder.

The Sun on Sunday speculates the combative midfielder could be available for around £4m.

SUNDERLAND’S prospects of signing Danny Rose are set to be dashed according to the Sunday People, which predicts the England Under 21 man will be promoted to first-choice left-back at White Hart Lane.

The paper says that Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s much-trailed move to Turkish club Fenerbahce is on the verge of completion.

And it claims Spurs’ boss Andre Villas-Boas has decided that once the Cameroon international departs, Rose will be given the chance to prove himself in the first-team next season.

That remains to be seen of course.

The Echo understands that Spurs have been exploring the possibility of recruiting another top left-back from Italy, which could still leave the door open to Rose leaving on a loan again in the summer, or even on a permanent.

Rose suggested at the end of a season-long loan at Sunderland – where he got regular first-team Premier League football for the first time – that he would consider a permanent move to the Stadium of Light.

However if Spurs boss AVB does offer him regular first-team football at White Hart Lane, there’s no doubt the former Leeds United defender would prefer to stay with the Londoners.

SUNDERLAND are in the process of making a genuine bid to sign John Guidetti after TWO years of being linked with the Manchester City striker, writes Graeme Anderson.

The Black Cats were first said to be interested in the Swedish goalscoring sensation in the summer of 2011, when they were exploring the possibility of a loan move which never came off.

But with Guidetti being represented by Roberto De Fanti, a long-time associate of Ellis Short, rumours of a possible move have never been too far away,

De Fanti has now moved on to become Sunderland’s director of football, but interest in Guidetti remains.

And the Echo understands that tentative talks have been opened about the prospect of the 21-year-old moving to the Stadium of Light.

A mystery virus ruined the full Swedish international’s 2012-13 season, and he did not play a single game last campaign.

But before being laid low, he had earned himself a reputation as one of Europe’s hottest prospects.

He was snapped up by City at the age of only 16 and rapidly established himself as a prolific striker at youth level before scoring a hat-trick on his reserve-team debut against Burnley.

But it was on loan spells where he really made his name, in particular at Feyenoord in the 2011-12 season when he scored 20 goals in 23 games for the Dutch side, to suggest a place in Manchester City’s first-team might not be too far away.

Now the youngster finds himself in limbo with the arrival in Eastlands of new manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Previous City boss Roberto Mancini had been a big fan of Guidetti’s potential.

But, with the Swede having been out for a year and Pellegrini arriving under pressure to take City up another level, the Chilean manager might be prepared to cut his losses on the young striker, or at the very least send him on season-long loan.

Either of those options would appeal to Sunderland, who hope De Fanti’s presence at the Stadium of Light will induce Guidetti to decide that if he is allowed to leave Eastlands this summer – temporarily or permanently – the Stadium of Light will be his destination of choice.

And behind the scenes, the signs are promising that the move might finally be set to happen this summer.

SUNDERLAND cast-off Titus Bramble has been invited to train with Ipswich Town raising the prospect he could rejoin his former club.

The 31-year-old’s contract at Sunderland has not been renewed and the centre-half becomes a free agent next month.

He has offers under consideration from Major League Soccer in America but is keeping his options open as he looks to get himself ready for next season.

Bramble has been troubled by knee problems in recent seasons which have restricted his ability to train.

But he is not ready yet to hang up his boots

The Blues, managed by former Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy, would love to interest in him in a move back to Portman Road where his career first began back in 1987.

But wages could be an issue and Ipswich might well want to offer him a ‘pay-as-you-play’ deal, given Bramble’s previous injury concerns.

Sunderland could be ready to cash in on Stephane Sessegnon and and Lee Cattermole as manager Paolo Di Canio radically overhauls his squad.

Sportsmail understands the pair have been told to find new clubs this summer as Di Canio shows his ruthless streak.
Likewise, Phil Bardsley, who is still waiting to hear whether he has to pay a two-week fine for being photographed laying on a casino floor covered in £50 notes, is also free to leave.

If the price is right: Sessegnon could soon be departing the Stadium of Light

But the decision to let Sessegnon and Cattermole go will cause the biggest stir.

The Black Cats are not actively looking for buyers for 29-year-old Benin international Sessegnon, but Sportsmail understands there is a growing pragmatism on Wearside which dictates that every player has his price.

As a result, the club would have to seriously consider any sizeable bid which came in for any member of their squad, and Sessegnon is one of their most valuable assets and has been linked with a series of potential suitors in recent weeks.
The former Paris St Germain man has been a big hit with fans on Wearside since making his £6million switch to the Stadium of Light in January 2011.

At his best, he has terrorised defences, although perhaps not scored the number of goals he might have.
However, inconsistency has been a problem for a player who, despite speculation that he could leave the club last summer, signed a three-year contract extension in August.

There is a feeling on Wearside that Sessegnon has had his head turned by rumours of big-money moves during his time at Sunderland, and he has been linked with Marseille and Chinese sides Tianjin Teda and Shanghai Shenhua already this summer.
Di Canio saw Sessegnon score twice in successive games at the start of his reign, the opener in the 3-0 derby victory at Newcastle and a priceless winner against Everton six days later.
However, he missed the final three games of the campaign through suspension after being rather harshly sent off in a 6-1 defeat at Aston Villa on April 29, a decision the club appealed unsuccessfully.

The new manager is in the process of radically reshaping the playing staff he inherited from predecessor Martin O'Neill, and with owner and chairman Ellis Short determined to get value for money, a different approach has been adopted.
Short invested heavily in Scotland striker Steven Fletcher and England winger Adam Johnson last summer, but this time around, has sanctioned to date a series of moves for lower-profile players with potential.

But his decision to accept Liverpool's bid for goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, arguably the club's most effective performer last season, is an indication that no member of the current squad is untouchable, and that could leave him with a big decision to make should a club put money on the table for Sessegnon or, for that matter, anybody else, although that is yet to happen.

Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has secured a deal for Le Havre defender Benjamin Mendy.

Arsenal had offered £2.5million for the youngster, but French Ligue 2 club Le Havre wanted double the Gunners' bid.

The 18-year-old left-back will become the latest young recruit for the Sunderland boss, as he looks to alternative to Tottenham full-back Danny Rose, who spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light.
Gunners bound? Le Havre's Benjamin Mendy (right) could be on his way to Arsenal

Gunners bound? Le Havre's Benjamin Mendy (right) could be on his way to Arsenal

England Under 21 Rose remains Di Canio’s number one target but he is unlikely to be allowed to leave White Hart Lane permanently. Argentina left-back Lucas Orban is also on the Sunderland list.

The Wearside club have been busy in the transfer market since the end of the season and Di Canio has added 20-year-old midfielder El-Hadji Ba, along with 19-year-old strikers Duncan Watmore and David Moberg Karlsson.

Earlier this week Le Havre confirmed they were in negotiations with an unnamed Premier League side for the signature of Mendy, with Arsenal and Cardiff also linked to the teenager.

Now Sunderland appear to have won the race for the signature of the France Under-19 international, who made 48 appearances for Le Havre since making his first-team debut two years ago.

As well as Sunderland and Arsene Wenger's men, Juventus, Lyon and Cardiff were keeping tabs on developments surrounding Mendy.

Mendy has turned out for France at every age group up to his current role for the U19 squad, and was first linked with a move to Arsenal when he signed a contract at Le Havre in 2011.
Busy man: Paolo Di Canio is overhauling Sunderland's squad

Busy man: Paolo Di Canio is overhauling Sunderland's squad

Transfer target: Di Canio also wants to recruit Tottenham's Danny Rose

Transfer target: Di Canio also wants to recruit Tottenham's Danny Rose

Le Havre president Jean-Pierre Louvel told Radio Monte Carlo: 'We have reached agreement with Sunderland for the transfer of Mendy.

'It's now up to him to reach an agreement with them. We are okay.

'We were close to an agreement with Lyon, it has not happened but you never know,' he said.

'Right now, the only club we are in agreement with is Sunderland and it is now up to Benjamin Mendy to make his choice.'
Ahmed Elmohamady
Steve Bruce

Reunited: Hull City are close to agreeing a move for Sunderland and Egypt winger Ahmed Elmohamady

Meanwhile, Egypt international winger Ahmed Elmohamady's proposed move to Hull is close to being completed.

The 25-year-old midfielder spent all but a few weeks of last season on loan at the KC Stadium as Steve Bruce, the man who had initially brought him to England during his time in charge at the Stadium of Light, handed him another chance to prove himself.

Elmohamady made a total of 41 appearances and scored three goals as the Tigers secured their return to the Barclays Premier League, and Bruce is keen to tie up a permanent deal.

The former ENPPI player cost the Black Cats £2million in June 2011 after a successful loan spell, and they would hope to recoup a similar amount on his departure.
Confirmed: Modibo Diakite of Lazio will join up with Sunderland on July 1

Confirmed: Modibo Diakite of Lazio will join up with Sunderland on July 1

That would further boost a transfer kitty which received a £9million windfall earlier this week, the first and main instalment of the fee for keeper Simon Mignolet's switch to Liverpool.

Di Canio has promised to re-invest that cash to ensure Sunderland do not face the another fight for Barclays Premier League survival next season after finishing in 17th place at the end of the last campaign.

Maritimo defender Valentin Roberge, Basle midfielder Cabral and Lazio's Modibo Diakite will all join the club on July 1, while youngsters Duncan Watmore and David Moberg Karlsson are already on board.

ve confirmed the arrival of Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone. The 25-year-old Italian has moved to the Stadium of Light for an undisclosed fee, understood to be around £2m, and has signed a two-year contract.

He is expected to provide the back-up to Republic of Ireland international Keiren Westwood following Simon Mignolet's £9m switch to Liverpool.

Mannone follows Valentin Roberge, Modibo Diakite, Cabral, David Moberg Karlsson and Duncan Watmore into the club with the Black Cats' summer recruitment drive showing little sign of abating.

The Italian arrived at Arsenal as a 17-year-old from Atalanta and made 26 senior appearances for the club, including four in the Champions League last season.

A former Italy Under-21 international, Mannone has also had loan spells at Barnsley and Hull.

New manager Paolo Di Canio is making a concerted effort to substantially rebuild the squad he inherited from Martin O'Neill this summer and there will be further arrivals before the season gets under way.

The Le Havre full-back Benjamin Mendy is expected to complete his move to Wearside later this week with club-mate El-Hadji Ba and Velez Sarsfield defender Gino Peruzzi also closing in on moves.

Di Canio has now turned his attention to the striking department, although there is still a significant amount of work to be done.

Sunderland have seen their initial bid for AZ Alkmaar frontman Jozy Altidore rejected, and they have been left in little doubt that they will have to come up with a significantly bigger offer if they are to succeed.

But having formally registered their interest, the Wearsiders are regarding the rejection as the first salvo in the battle to land a player identified some time ago as the man to freshen up their attacking options.

Altidore, who made 28 Premier League appearances on loan at Hull from Villarreal during the 2009-10 season, scored 23 goals for AZ last season to attract the attention of a series of potential suitors.

However, Sunderland have struck the initial blow and will hope to follow it up after their lack of depth in attack was exposed at the end of last season.

Steven Fletcher's ankle surgery, which ruled him out of the final eight games, emphasised the club's relative paucity up front.

O'Neill invested £5m in Swansea's Danny Graham in an effort to address the problem, but he failed to score a single goal in 13 appearances at the end of the campaign.

Stephane Sessegnon's future on Wearside remains uncertain amid speculation the club could cash in on him this summer, while Connor Wickham and Ji Dong-won are yet to prove they can do the job on a sustained basis.

Meanwhile, reports in Greece have claimed Sunderland have reached agreement with Panathinaikos for the transfer of midfielder Charalampos Mavrias in a deal which could eventually amount to €4m.

JOZY ALTIDORE cannot wait to pull on a Sunderland shirt for the first time.

The 23-year-old United States striker signed a four-year deal with the Black Cats last night as he completed his move from AZ Alkmaar for an undisclosed fee.

He will now join up with his new team-mates at their pre-season training camp in Italy and is already looking forward to the start of the season.

Altidore said: “I’m excited. Anybody who knows anything about football knows that the Premier League, when you look at everything as a full package, is the biggest league in the world.

“I’m thrilled to be here and I’m looking forward to getting adjusted as quickly as possible.

“It’s a fantastic club, everyone here is so welcoming and I’m really excited about this season.

“It has everything here, all the combinations to be a big club, so I’m really excited to be a part of it.”

Sunderland launch their campaign at home to Fulham and Altidore is desperate to run out in front of 40,000 Wearsiders for the first time.

He added: “It’s great, it’s part of taking that next step as a player.

“To be able to play in front of a stadium like that is going to be really exciting — I hope they like what I do on the pitch.

“Everybody, I’m sure, is excited to get the season off to a good start and I’m no different.

“I can’t wait to meet the guys, meet the coaching staff and get acclimatised as soon as possible.

“I’m just going to give everything I can to the team, that’s the biggest thing, to get the respect of your team-mates and when you do that, I think everything will fall into place.

“I’ll just give my all for the club. I really appreciate the club making the investment in me as a player and I want to give that back.”

Paolo Di Canio is on the brink of landing top transfer target Emanuele Giaccherini after Juventus' recent spending spree forced them to accept a Sunderland bid of just under £7million.

Recent reports suggested Sunderland may have to bid around £8.5million for a versatile winger who struggles for a place at Juventus but was in Italy's starting X1 on the right flank at the Confederations Cup.

But Juve sporting director Beppe Marotta has sanctioned a £6.8million deal after taking stock of a summer of investment aimed at equipping the Serie A title-winners for a tilt at the Champions League next summer.


Incoming: Sunderland are on the brink of signing the versatile Juventus and Italy winger Emanuele Giaccherini for £6.8million


Cut price: Sunderland will sign Giaccherini for about £1.5million less than originally expected as Juventus recoup some money for a spending spree of their own

Apart from luring Carlos Tevez from Manchester City to partner Fernando Llorente up front, they are in the process of completing a £13million move for Torino's Italy defender Angelo Ogbonna.

They have to recoup some of their outlay and have reluctantly accepted Sunderland's offer for a player who can operate anywhere across midfield but has made the outside-right position his own for the national team.

As Sunderland boss Di Canio closed in on his most significant capture so far, Giaccherini's agent backtracked after initially suggesting he had no intention of quitting Juve.

'If an interesting offer comes in, then, of course, we will consider it,' said Furio Valcareggi.

'We have to plan for the future, particularly with the World Cup finals just 12 months away, and if Emanuele is not going to be starting for Juve, then maybe we should look for a situation where he is playing every week.'

'If an interesting offer comes in, then, of course, we will consider it,' said Furio Valcareggi. 'We have to plan for the future, particularly with the World Cup finals just 12 months away, and if Emanuele is not going to be starting for Juve, then maybe we should look for a situation where he is playing every week.'


Bound for Wearside: Sunderland are on the verge of signing Velez Sarsfield full-back Gino Peruzzi


Close: 21-year-old Peruzzi will head to England tomorrow to complete the move after a fee was agreed

 

Meanwhile, Velez Sarsfield full-back Peruzzi will head for England tomorrow with a view to completing his move to Sunderland.

The Argentinian club has confirmed on its official website, www.velezsarsfield.com.ar that they have finally agreed a deal with the Black Cats for the 21-year-old's signature.

A statement said: 'Velez Sarsfield and Sunderland Association Football Club have reached an agreement to transfer the player Gino Peruzzi.'

Velez say the player and two club officials will head for the Stadium of Light tomorrow in a bid to finalise the transfer.

The news will come as a major boost to Di Canio after it appeared that the proposed deal had stalled earlier this week.

Velez vice-president Julio Baldomar claimed that Peruzzi had rejected the personal terms offered by the Black Cats, although fresh discussions appear to have solved whatever problem there was.


Another buy: Sunderland welcomed Frenchman El Hadji Ba to the club too

Sunderland missed out on highly-rated Le Havre teenager Benjamin Mendy when he opted to instead join Marseille, but the signing of Peruzzi has ticked another of the manager's boxes.

The north-east club also confirmed the capture of El-Hadji Ba, formerly of Le Havre, on Wednesday.

Ba, 20, became Di Canio's seventh summer acquisition when the midfielder agreed a three-year contract with the Black Cats after his deal at Le Havre run out last month.

He made 13 league appearances for the French club last season, scoring once.


Spree: Jozy Altidore is one of seven signings already made by Paolo Di Canio this summer

The Frenchman is the latest addition to a growing list of summer signings at the Stadium of Light which was boosted further on Tuesday when United States international striker Jozy Altidore completed his move from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar.

He joins Valentin Roberge, Modibo Diakite, Cabral, Altidore, David Moberg Karlsson and Duncan Watmore in the Sunderland squad for the new season.

While attacking options have been a major focus for Di Canio, the full-back berths have been high on his wishlist too with left-back Danny Rose having returned to parent club Tottenham after a successful loan spell and Phil Bardsley now seemingly surplus to requirements.

Stephane Sessegnon Scores Five As Sunderland Win Friendly 13-1 In Italy

Stephane Sessegnon scored five goals as Sunderland ran out 13-1 winners in a behind closed doors friendly during their pre-season training camp in Italy.

Goals from Ji Dong-Won, Seb Larsson, Valentin Roberge, Jozy Altidore, Danny Graham, Mikael Mandron and two from David Moberg Karlsson completed the rout against a local Select XI.

Three of Paolo Di Canio's new signings - Vito Mannone, Roberge and Cabral - started the game, but it was Sessegnon who dominated the game from the first whistle.

He put Sunderland ahead after two minutes, and he had his hat-trick with 20 minutes played.

He blasted home from Adam Johnson's deflected shot after 24 minutes, and by the half hour mark Sessegnon had his fifth, rounding the keeper to slot home.

Ji and Larsson completed the first half scoring, with Paolo Di Canio's men leading 7-0 at half time.

Di Canio made seven changes at the break, with debutantes El Hadji Ba, Altidore and Moberg Karlsson among the replacements.

And it took Moberg Karlsson just four minutes to make it 8-0, with a powerful strike from just outside the box. Altidore almost made it nine moments later, but his shot was blocked.

Roberge did make it 9-0 just before the hour mark, after Moberg Karlsson's corner caused problems.

Altidore opened his account for his new club after 65 minutes, shooting on the turn to bring up double figures for Paolo Di Canio's side.

The Select XI got one back from the penalty spot after a player went down under substitute keeper Keiren Westwood's challenge, but Sunderland hit back instantly when Altidore played in Danny Graham to score his first goal for the club.

With ten minutes to go Mandron made it 12-1 having replaced Larsson after 70 minutes, before Moberg Karlsson's second completed the scoring.

Sunderland: Mannone (Westwood 45), Gardner, Colback, O'Shea (Brown 45), Roberge, Cabral (Ba 45), N'Diaye (Vaughan 45), Johnson (Moberg Karlsson 45), Larsson (Mandron 70), Sessegnon (Graham 45), Ji (Altidore 45).

Thanks for this thread mate, seriously.

Juventus have bowed to the wishes of Emanuele Giaccherini in agreeing a fee for the midfielder with Sunderland.

It was revealed on Thursday that the Black Cats had seen an offer for the Italy international accepted.

Juventus are reluctant sellers, as they prepare to part with a 28-year-old winger in his prime, but accept that he wants to find regular first-team football.

They cannot guarantee him that in Turin and have reluctantly sanctioned a sale to Sunderland.

Juve's general manager Giuseppe Marotta said: "In Giaccherini's transfer to Sunderland, the will of the player had priority over the club's.

"Emanuele evaluated, not only the economic aspects but also the standing he will have at Sunderland, and it was a challenge he decided to accept. We have gone along with his wishes."

Meanwhile, Marotta has revealed that Juventus have dropped their interest in Fiorentina forward Stevan Jovetic - who continues to be linked with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea.

He added: "We have given up on Jovetic because with (Carlos) Tevez and (Fernando) Llorente we are satisfied with our attack.

"Jovetic was one of several targets but now he has become unattainable - not because we can't take him, but because we are proud of Tevez's arrival and think we have completed our attack."

It was revealed on Thursday that the Black Cats had seen an offer for the Italy international accepted.

Juventus are reluctant sellers, as they prepare to part with a 28-year-old winger in his prime, but accept that he wants to find regular first-team football.

They cannot guarantee him that in Turin and have reluctantly sanctioned a sale to Sunderland.

Juve's general manager Giuseppe Marotta said: "In Giaccherini's transfer to Sunderland, the will of the player had priority over the club's.

"Emanuele evaluated, not only the economic aspects but also the standing he will have at Sunderland, and it was a challenge he decided to accept. We have gone along with his wishes."

Meanwhile, Marotta has revealed that Juventus have dropped their interest in Fiorentina forward Stevan Jovetic - who continues to be linked with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea.

He added: "We have given up on Jovetic because with (Carlos) Tevez and (Fernando) Llorente we are satisfied with our attack.

"Jovetic was one of several targets but now he has become unattainable - not because we can't take him, but because we are proud of Tevez's arrival and think we have completed our attack."

SUNDERLAND’S interest in Matej Vydra has been put on ice, with Italian outfit Udinese taking a patient approach on offers for the Czech striker.

The Black Cats were one of a number of Premier League clubs to have made an enquiry for Vydra earlier in the summer after the 21-year-old netted 20 goals during a loan spell with Watford last season.

Swansea, West Brom and West Ham have also been interested in a season-long loan for Vydra, whose agent travelled to England last week in an attempt to secure his client a move to the top flight.

But it is understood that there have been no further developments regarding Vydra’s potential move to Sunderland, who have now boosted their attacking options with the £6million capture of American international Jozy Altidore from AZ Alkmaar.

Vydra has returned to pre-season training with Udinese, who remain prepared to sell the frontman if their £8m asking price is met.

But, with another seven weeks to run of the transfer window, Udinese are in no rush to make a decision on Vydra and are likely to wait until next month to see if they can cash in on him before considering whether to sanction a second successive loan exit.

Vydra is one of a number of strikers Sunderland have been considering this summer in addition to their prime target Altidore.

Manchester City’s John Guidetti remains an option, while Sunderland were also linked with Juventus’s Italian international Alessandro Matri this week after the negotiations between the two clubs which have seen midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini lie on the verge of a move to the Stadium of Light.

Reports in Italy yesterday credited Sunderland with an interest in Catania’s Argentine striker Maxi Lopez too.

But Sunderland head coach Paolo Di Canio wanted a five-man senior strike force to choose from next season and he has now reached that tally, six if Ji Dong-won is included, alongside Steven Fletcher, Stephane Sessegnon, Danny Graham, Connor Wickham and Altidore.

Ji found the net after playing the opening 45 minutes in Wednesday’s behind-closed-doors game against a local select XI at Sunderland’s pre-season training camp, in Italy.

But despite reports in Germany this week that Borussia Dortmund’s interest in Ji has faded, the South Korean is still expected to be offloaded by Sunderland this summer.

Ji has just a year remaining on his Sunderland contract and the Black Cats are ready to cash in on the 22-year-old’s high stock in the Bundesliga after his successful loan spell at Augsburg last season.

Room could be made in Sunderland’s attack though, if the club receive a tempting bid for Sessegnon, Wickham or Graham.

Sunderland have completed the signing of Italy midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini from Juventus.

The Black Cats confirmed this afternoon that Giaccherini's switch from the Serie A champions had been completed with the 28-year-old having put pen to paper on a four-year deal.

Juve have announced the fee was £6.5 million for a player who has won 14 international caps and featured at Euro 2012 last summer.

He was also a part of Italy's Confederations Cup campaign last month.

Giaccherini joined Juventus from Cesena in August 2011, and went on to win back-to-back Scudetti.

The attack-minded midfield man, who can play in the centre or out wide, made 40 league appearances for the Turin club, scoring four goals.

During his time with Cesena, he had loan spells with Forli, Bellaria Igea and Pavia.

He is the ninth player to be recruited in a busy summer for Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio, the Italian appointed in March as successor to the sacked Martin O'Neill.

After keeping the Black Cats in the Barclays Premier League - they finished 17th - Di Canio has embarked upon a major overhaul of his squad, with Valentin Roberge, Modibo Diakite, Cabral, Vito Mannone, Jozy Altidore, Duncan Watmore, David Moberg Karlsson and El-Hadji Ba all being brought in prior to Giaccherini's arrival.

It is expected that more new signings will follow, while Simon Mignolet, Titus Bramble, Matt Kilgallon and Ahmed Elmohamady are among those to have left the Wearside club.