SUNDERLAND have launched a £12million triple swoop on Manchester United after agreeing to a £16million deal that will see England midfielder Jordan Henderson leave for Liverpool.
The Black Cats want £5million-rated Republic of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson and defenders John O’Shea and Wes Brown to strengthen a squad that is looking threadbare without the presence of Henderson, who underwent a medical at Anfield yesterday before completing his Merseyside switch.
The Wearsiders see the bold move for the Red Devils trio as an emphatic statement of their intent after accusations of lack of ambition were levelled at them for letting Sunderland-born Henderson move to Liverpool.
In reality they had little choice in the Henderson deal, with the player making it clear that he wanted a move to Kenny Dalglish’s ambitious side.
The formalities of Henderson’s move are yet to be completed, but that is imminent, with David N’gog – a long-term Sunderland target – primed to move the other way. That switch – which is understood to be separate to the Henderson deal – is expected to be confirmed today, subject to the two parties agreeing terms and the French striker passing a medical.
Having lost such a key man, Sunderland will hope to land all three Manchester United internationals in a move which would solidify their back four and give them goalscoring presence in the centre of midfield.
The Journal understands that Gibson is very keen on the move, although convincing the two defenders may be a tougher ask for boss Steve Bruce, particularly
as O’Shea is believed to have been offered a new contract by the Red Devils.
Ireland midfielder Gibson (pictured right) knows a move is required to make progress in his career after seeing his chances of regular first-team football recede at Old Trafford.
The 23-year-old has a fierce shot and has scored spectacular goals, but a lack of pace has hampered him over recent years.
The promotion of Jack Colback, who Bruce will look to replicate Henderson’s all-energy displays, will give Sunderland’s midfield a very different dimension. Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday moved to fill one of the two spots in his squad they would leave behind by agreeing a deal to sign Blackburn Rovers’ England Under-21 defender Phil Jones.
Brown, 31, graduated from the Manchester United Academy and has played 23 times for England, but injuries have hampered his progress of late.
Although Danny Welbeck is not one of the three players that Sunderland have tabled a bid for, they remain interested in him despite Bruce’s belief that he has “no chance” of landing him.
Other targets include DJ Campbell, Chris Brunt and Peter Crouch – although Sunderland have been priced out of a move for Roger Johnson after Birmingham quoted an astronomical £12million for their highly-regarded centre-back.
Former Newcastle midfielder Charles N’Zogbia is another target, although Wigan are playing hardball over his valuation.
The day ended on a brighter note for the Black Cats after Wearside had reacted with shock to the news that Henderson was heading for Liverpool.
It has been a reluctant sale, but Sunderland are determined not to portray their Academy graduate as a villain. Speaking to the club’s website after confirming the deal, chairman Niall Quinn said that the midfielder moved with the club’s best wishes.
He praised the Academy graduate for the way he had conducted himself, before promising attempts to strengthen the club would continue “at a pace”.
He said: “Jordan is a credit to himself, his family and Sunderland’s Academy and everyone here wishes him the very best for the future. I’m pleased that we got the deal to a level that we felt was right for our club.
“We know the areas that need strengthening and the type of player we need in order to progress, and the job of bringing those players to the club is continuing at a pace.”
