Udinese eye up bid for SAFC keeper Fülöp

Jun 7 2010 by James Hunter, The Journal

WANTAWAY Márton Fülöp says he is willing to consider leaving the Premier League after emerging as a target for Italian side Udinese.

The Hungary goalkeeper will leave Sunderland this summer after boss Steve Bruce made it clear last summer that Scotland’s Craig Gordon is number one on Wearside.

Fülöp, who conceded six goals as his country lost 6-1 to Holland in Amsterdam on Saturday, has two more years remaining on his contract with the Black Cats but is keen to move on in search of first-team football.

And he will leave with Bruce’s blessing – the manager understands the 27-year-old’s desire to play week-in, week-out.

Bruce has already secured a replacement, with Belgium Under-21 keeper Simon Mignolet expected to complete his £2m move from St Truiden later this week and become Gordon’s new deputy.

Serie A side Udinese are preparing for he departure of first-choice keeper Samir Handanovic and, in turn, have expressed an interest in bringing Fülöp to Italy to take his place.

Fülöp said: “I’ve a two-year contract with Sunderland but it’s more than likely that I’ll leave Sunderland this summer.

“I’m open to any possibilities, even those coming out of England. I think that my future will be decided after the World Cup.” Newly-promoted West Brom and ambitious Championship side Ipswich Town – managed by former Sunderland boss Roy Keane – are also understood to be monitoring the situation.

Fülöp spent the final few weeks of last season on loan at Manchester City, after Roberto Mancini’s side were given special dispensation by the Premier League to sign a goalkeeper on loan when ex-Newcastle keeper Shay Given dislocated his elbow at the end of April.

With young England keeper Joe Hart already on a season-long loan with Birmingham and third-choice Stuart Taylor also injured, that left City with the Faroe Islands’ number two Gunnar Nielsen as their only fit senior keeper, and his sole Premier League experience was a 14-minute substitute appearance when Given was stretchered off.