Skipper could be leaving the Cats
Jun 16 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal
Sunderland will make a formal approach for Wigan star Cattermole when England’s involvement in the European Under-21 Championships in Sweden is over – and they are prepared to go to around £6m to land their man.
With Kieran Richardson earmarked for a central midfield role next season, Cattermole would likely be in a straight fight with Whitehead for a place in Sunderland’s starting line-up.
That situation may change, however, if Hull are prepared to renew their interest in Whitehead.
Relations between the Tigers and Sunderland have improved since Brown angered the club by calling them “naive” over their handling of Whitehead.
After Sbragia had issued a “hands off” warning on the player during January, Brown had said: “If he’s not for sale, then he’s not for sale but everyone has a price. If we can get close to their valuation, they might be willing to sell.
“It’s a simple matter of fact that they have identified their targets and we have identified ours. To come out and say that he’s not for sale is a bit naive.”
Whitehead angered some Sunderland fans by branding them impatient after the team lost to Wigan during their disastrous end-of-season run, but retains plenty of admirers at the KC Stadium – where former Oxford team-mate Sam Ricketts plays.
Much will depend on who Bruce manages to recruit during a pivotal summer for Sunderland. Priority target Cattermole’s stock will have risen after his goalscoring start to England’s European Championship bid, while The Journal understands that a tentative enquiry has been made about Titus Bramble’s availability.
Darren Bent is another player wanted by Sunderland.
Meanwhile, Raimond van der Gouw has reportedly left Sunderland to return to Dutch side Vitesse Arnheim.
Van der Gouw has been at Sunderland since July 2007 when he was appointed goalkeeper coach by former Manchester United team-mate Roy Keane.
Reports in Holland stated that Van der Gouw has now signed a two-year deal with former club Vitesse.
Van der Gouw joined Vitesse as a player in 1988 and made 258 league appearances before moving to England.
He arrived at Old Trafford as an understudy to Peter Schmeichel and went on to make 26 Premier League starts in six years for the Red Devils.
