Steve Sidwell’s move to Liverpool breaks down and Sunderland looking to sign David James
Aston Villa who missed out on Champions League qualification last season, are holding on hard to their players who impressed one and all last season. There is always a big price to pay for clubs like Villa as big names come calling and the players are understandably lured in by the prospect of big money move to a big club.
The Birmingham based club is fighting hard to hold on to their right winger James Milner, who is hogged by the cash rich Manchester City. Milner had a meeting with the manager Martin O’Neil and expressed his desire to leave. The move now looks only a moment of time.
Next in line was Luke Young, the full back; he was strongly linked with a move to Liverpool. However according to the latest news the deal is believed to have broken down. There was speculation that both clubs had agreed on a fee for the defender and the deal was to take place soon. Aston Villa was on a pre season tour to Portugal but the 31 year old was not with the team, and stayed back to meet up with Liverpool manage Roy Hodgson. Later it was revealed that the talks were successful and the clubs had come to an agreement, but later on a British Newspaper, the Sun, has claimed that Young will not be joining Liverpool.
Meanwhile Fulham is on the brink of completing the signing of Steve Sidwell; the deal is believed to be stalled till the cottagers actually get a manager. In other parts of England there is immense interest shown by Sunderland manager Steve Bruce in England’s goalkeeper David James. Bruce is thin in his squad in terms of goalkeepers and is seriously considering the option of availing the services of the former Manchester City man.
The number one keeper at the stadium of lights Craig Gordon is not expected to be fit for most of the season, after he broke his arm. The Scottish player is believed to be out for months and that leaves Sunderland with one first choice keeper.
Marton Fulop is still in the squad and can fill in ably, but Steve Bruce believes that he needs a man with experience and James might be the right man for the job. Fulop meanwhile is also believed to be looking elsewhere to get first team football. Steve Bruce said that his squad looks good ahead of the season. As far as attack and midfield is concerned there is no room to add players but admitted that defence and goalkeeping are the areas of concern for him.
David James will also make a good choice considering that he is out of contract from his former club Portsmouth, and is basically a free agent player. So Sunderland would get him for free given they can agree on other terms and conditions. James is currently believed to be in talks with the Scottish club Celtic.
Steve Bruce while talking to a newspaper said that the club is considering James, especially after the injury to Gordon. He added that he has been in talks with James’ representative and a deal may be reached in a week or so.
Bruce said that what happened with Gordon was very disappointing, and he was looking forward to having another good season with the Scotsman. Bruce said that his growth over the last season or so had been phenomenal and it is just disappointing that he will not be available.
Steve Bruce was asked if James was trying to pit one club against the other by portraying that he is talking to Celtic. Bruce answered by saying that this is not the case and he is aware of his talks with Celtic, and knows he will make the decision that he thinks is the best for him.
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