Celts not sold on Cats bid
Jun 16 2008 by Mark Douglas, The Journal
SUNDERLAND have been told to forget using striker Anthony Stokes as bait in their attempt to lure Aiden McGeady to Wearside – and warned by Celtic it will take more than £10m to prise him away from the Scottish champions.
The Republic of Ireland winger is one of manager Roy Keane’s priority targets as he looks to improve the calibre of his squad and add players capable of taking the Black Cats into the top half of the Premier League.
Sunderland are yet to declare their hand in the chase for the much-coveted McGeady, but among the options the club are understood to be exploring is using Stokes to add value to any £10m cash offer that they make.
Celtic boss Gordon Strachan attempted to sign Stokes when he first became available two years ago after making a tremendous impact at Falkirk – and the thinking in the Sunderland camp is that the Glasgow club will still be keen on a player who has proved he can score goals in the SPL.
But Celtic are not believed to be keen on taking Stokes as a make-weight, and sources in Glasgow have indicated any move to that effect would be met with a firm rejection. Indeed, Celtic, who can offer Champions League football to the 22-year-old, are understood to be looking for a figure nearer to £13m for their star asset.
Newcastle are also monitoring McGeady’s availability but Keane will hope to exploit his personal relationship with Strachan in brokering any deal.
Sunderland’s have not formalised their interest in McGeady but that situation is expected to change after Euro 2008.
Sunderland’s willingness to contemplate offering Stokes does raise questions about the future of the striker. If Keane can strengthen his squad to anything like the degree that he is hoping for Stokes is unlikely to find a place in his plans for the forthcoming season – and he may decide to move on to recapture the momentum he had when he first joined Sunderland in a deal which could eventually cost the club £2m.
Keane’s need for offensive reinforcements has certainly been injected with fresh urgency by the knee ligament injury suffered by his side’s prime source of attacking intent Kenwyne Jones.
The club issued a somewhat ambiguous update regarding his injury on Friday but such is the severity of the damage to the Trinidad & Tobago international that Keane’s planning for next term will not include last season’s leading scorer. Jones is certainly unlikely to play competitively before the end of the year and that may force a hasty rethink of Keane’s transfer strategy – with another striker likely to be added to his most wanted list.
According to weekend reports, Sunderland have initiated early contact with Tottenham over the availability of striker Darren Bent with a view to a bid, and such a signing would certainly be a statement of intent.
Another equally compelling option for the Black Cats is West Ham striker Carlton Cole, apparently surplus to requirements at Upton Park and more of a like-for-like replacement for Jones.
