The Black Cats Rumour Mill: How's Zat?

Comments: Zat has plenty of experience and we know, as everybody does, that Sunderland need at least 2 centre backs for next season. SSN and other media sources have reported Keane will bid £2,000,000 pound for Knight. I think this is a good deal and a very realistic target. This could well be our first signing when the transfer window opens!

Comments: It's being reported this morning that Nigel Reo-Coker could be set to leave West Ham and Sunderland have been alerted to the possibility of singing the hard working midfielder. Having a central midfield partnership of Reo-Coker and Whitehead would appeal to Roy Keane, Sunderland supporters and certainly myself. With West Ham staying in The Premiership, I can't see Nigel leaving The Hammers.

Comments: Jimmy has only scored twice in 22 appearances for the addicts this season and that doesn't exactly make him an attractive signing. I think we are just being linked with him because Charlton have let him go. I see no truth in this rumour. I'd much rather have Fowler because Hasselbaink just isn't the player he once was for Chelsea

Comments: Diego Forlan said that Roy Keane had approached him before Sunderland had confirmed their promotion to the top flight, but rejected the move. Not only that, but Keane denied that any discussion had took place. The question that I've been asking myself is why would Diego lie? He wouldn't and I think that Keano is just keeping his cards close to his chest. The word on the grape vine is that Keane has had further discussions with the Uraguay international and bid for the player could yet be made.

Comments: Just as Kenny Cunningham looks set to leave the SoL, Paddy Kenny could be set to arrive. Paddy has proven himself a solid goal keeper and SSN are reporting that Keane will make a bid for him when the transfer window opens. No surprise that we are said to be moving for an Irish player huh? I'm taking any links with Celtic, Ireland or Manchester United players with a pinch of salt from now on. There's just too many of them!

Comments: Not the biggets name we've been linked with to date, but he's very experienced as a player in this league. I think Todd may well come in as cover rather than a first team regular. Birmingham are also interested in securing his services.

Comments: Teddy has been linked with us again and for obvious reasons...He's worked with Roy Keane! Other than that I think Sherringham would be great to have as an off the bench player, even at the age he is and I think our young forwards can learn a lot from him.



Name: Eidur Gudjohnsen

Position: Striker and Attacking Midfielder

Club: Barcelona

Price: £8,000,000

Comments: Reidy had a £13,000,000 bid accepted by Chelsea when he was in charge, but he couldn't lure him away from Stamford Bridge. Eidur would be one of our biggest signings of the season and it's very hard to say whether or not Keane would be able pull Gudjohnsen away from the Camp Nou. I would love to see him in the right and white stripes of Sunderland and I don't think there's a Mackem who wouldn't. He's exceptional in midfield and as an out and out forward. Yes please!

Comments: Other than Paul has had a good season at West Brom, I know little about the Irish international. To be honest, just because Keane was at the match between West Brom and Wolves, doesn't mean we were looking at the obvious. There are number of potential signings that Keane could have been looking at. The fact that McShane is Irish and we need a centre back I think may of sparked this speculation.

Comments: A rumour emerged at the weekend that Roy is targetting Julio for our void left-back position. Julio would be another boost to our Sunderland revival. Worshiped on Wearside for many years and has the added bonus of being able to play wide left and central midfield. I'm not convinced the Middlebrough will let him go, but Arca is married to a Mackem and doesn't hide his love for the Sunderland. If he has his heart set on re-joining us, could Southgate really do anything about it? I think this is a signing that everybody would like to see!

Comment: I just get the feeling that we are and will, be linked with every available player of a decent quality over the summer. Regardless of this I think Robbie is proven at this level and given a run in the side, could score at the top level still. Keane would still need to work on his fitness though!

Comments: Neil Lennon is no spring chicken, but what he lacks in youth, he obviously makes up in experience. Last time were relegated we were missing leaders on the field and experience. Neil is expectly what we need along side youth and ability. The Celtic star has already gone on record and said he would be interested in signing for the Mackems!

Comments: Yet another Manchester United player linked with Sunderland. Some of these are starting to bore me a little . It's being reported that if (As expected) Manchester United bring another striker in over the summer then Rossi will be loaned out to either Sunderland or Birmingham. My view on this is no need. We need proven goal scorers, not potential.

Comments: This is an odd one this, but I have been reading today that Manchester United will move for Bale this summer to ensure they get their man, but then send him out on loan to us. Not an impossible situation, but to be honest I think this is a load of bollocks. I would love to have Bale at the club next season, but I think this is a complete fabrication and has no weight to it what so ever.

Comments: I have received information this morning that Roy Keane is lining up a £1,200,000 for 19yr old Dutch international Evander Sno. I know little about the player, but if any Celtic fans could give us some info on our messageboard it would be greatly appreciated. He's not an unrealistic target, but he could be just yet another ex Keane team mate link. Seems we are being linked with quite a few Dutch players at the moment.

Comments: We reported earlier that Sunderland were interested in dutch defender Ruud Knol, but it appears that we are also interested in and have been watching his club team mate Theo Janssen according to SSN. The 26yr old has also been monitored by Tottenham. Janssen has remained at Vitesse to help him grow as a player, but he is said to be ready to make the step up and a move to England seems to appeal to the Dutchman.

Comments: We can exclusively reveal that Roy Keane has had Dutch defender Ruud Knol watched recently. The report has been confirmed by the Dutchman who said 'Sunderland is a great club for me' in a recent interview. We have been advised that he is a free agent, a strong centre back and is also known as a good spot kick taker. Personally I have no opinion on this player, I know little about him, but any information is welcome on our message board.

Comments: I've recently been advised that there's a rumour doing the rounds at some of the Sunderland supporter branches that Ruud is on his way to Wearside. I was in two minds whether to even post this because it's just NOT going to happen, but this is a rumour mill, so here it is. Ruud is absolutely on fire in La Liga, so Real Madrid WILL NOT be letting him go for obvious reasons. Ruud will not want go give up Real Madrid for Sunderland. If you need me to explain why then I guess your best subject isn't football. If this signing comes off I'll eat my own underpants and post the event on You Tube for all to see! If rumours are going to start, lets at least make them realistic eh? Computer says "NO"!

Comments: The names are coming thick and fast at the moment. The latest being ex Newcastle forward Andrew Cole. While Andy certainly would add something to the team, I think we have the money to be aiming a little higher than the prolific veteran. Birmingham have stated that they are not able to meet his wage demands, so it looks like he'll not be returning to St Andrews. To be honest, I think there's little chance of seeing Cole the Goal at the SoL next season. Still, it would be interesting to see Yorke and Cole playing in the same team again...



Name: Thomas Graveson

Position: Centre Midfield

Club: Celtic

Expected Price: £2,000,000

Comments: On the basis that we have only just been promoted. I would prefer Graverson over Barton over the basis that Thomas is less likely to start running round punching people, we'd have less challenge for his signature and his experience will prove prices for a newly promoted team. Graverson and Whithead in centre-mid? I'll have a slice of that please waiter!



Name: Joey Barton

Position: Centre Midfield

Club: Manchester City

Expected Price: £4,000,000 - £5,500,000

Comments: David Nugent for me has everything to make it in the top flight. Keane has already said that he admires the young forward and could be a real potential signing, but other factors come into this. Nugent has already stated that he'll stay at Preston if promoted, which is looking less likely. He also said he would prefer joining Everton (Being an Everton supporter), but I've heard on the grape vine that The Blues are targeting Jermaine Defoe from Tottenham. Could this pave the way for Keane to get his man? Personally I would love to see Nugent at the club next season.