Middlesbrough have apparently bid £5m for Paddy McNair, which will test Sunderland’s resolve having previously turned down a bid from Brighton for around £3.5m. The word is we need to sell before we buy and with pre-season fast approaching movement on players needs to happen sooner rather than later.
In other news, an application for a safety licence for pre-season friendly between Sunderland and Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light, on July 27, has been withdrawn over safety concerns because it clashes with The Air Show. Charlie Mathven said: "SAFC is disappointed to have been told by the council that it could not countenance this event going ahead on Friday, July 27 because of the air show. We are fully signed up to the safety and security processes that go ahead in the granting of a licence for any public event, and had worked hard to mitigate those factors, right up to agreeing to a home season card holder only policy, if required."
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “We raised a number of safety concerns with the club regarding the proposed fixture and we are pleased that they have been listened to. These centred around an already-anticipated high number of visitors into the area due to existing long-standing events. Ensuring the safety of the public is our utmost priority.”
A Sunderland City Council spokesman said in a statement: “The city council had taken advice from a number of agencies, including the police, who requested a Safety Advisory Group meeting. On advice the club have withdrawn their application. The council has always been a big supporter of the club and remains so.”
In other news, Bristol City are looking to take Aiden McGeady off our hands.
