Source: Daily_Mail
Bruce's loan moan: Sunderland insist Benitez must pay up for hitman Jones
Going nowhere: Kenwyne Jones has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool [LNB]Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has launched a furious attack on Liverpool and accused them of being disrespectful in their pursuit of Kenwyne Jones. [LNB]Bruce says the idea of the striker being allowed to leave the Stadium of Light for Anfield in a loan deal is so laughable he will be making a similar offer to take Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard from opposite number Rafa Benitez. [LNB]The Sunderland boss is insistent there has been no contact between the two clubs over Trinidad and Tobago international Jones, who was signed more than two years ago by Roy Keane in a £6million deal from Southampton. [LNB]Jones was the subject of a £10m bid from Tottenham a year ago which was turned down by Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn, and he has been linked with a loan move to Liverpool since the weekend. [LNB]The 25-year-old has established himself, on his day, as one of the most difficult and awkward strikers in the Premier League. [LNB]But his occasionally indifferent performances since he signed an improved contract 12 months ago, mean Sunderland would be prepared to do business with any club prepared to match their £15m valuation. [LNB]Bruce is adamant, however, that he has not spoken to Benitez, and that there has been no contact between Quinn and any member of the Anfield hierarchy. [LNB] Hitman: Kenwyne Jones could be on his way out of Sunderland[LNB] [LNB]Bruce said: 'We have had no contact whatsoever. The notion that Iwould loan Kenwyne Jones out is totally and completely ludicrous. [LNB]'I have huge respect for Liverpool and the way they have done theirbusiness but I find this constant badgering of Kenwyne when we as aclub haven't heard anything hugely disrespectful and I can't understandwhere they are coming from. [LNB]Loan moan: Bruce will not let Jones leave for Anfield[LNB]'As if I'm got to let our big, big player, one of our big, big assets, go on loan. Kenwyne is not going on loan to anybody. [LNB]'He won't be doing that to help Liverpool or anybody else for thatmatter. I would be mad to allow that. The punters must think I havelost the plot. [LNB]'If Liverpool are going to come and offer the amount of money whichwe think is his value then every player, not just Kenwyne Jones, butevery player has his price. [LNB]'Every player has a valuation but I would have to say it would have to be a huge amount of money for us to even contemplate it. [LNB]'I just don't know where the idea comes from that a loan is possible. [LNB]'It is like me asking for Steven Gerrard on loan. I will try thatmaybe. Kenwyne is one of the big players in the Premier League, he is acentre forward and the notion that I would let him go on loan, well, dome a favour.' [LNB] Bruce admitted the speculation since the weekend has affected Jonesand he may be left out of Saturday's FA Cup tie at Portsmouth whereBruce will play an otherwise full-strength side. [LNB]'It has disrupted the boy. It is the frustration that I would thinkI would let him on loan.[LNB]'All that does is turn the head of the big boy.I will speak to Kenwyne because it is very disappointing. [LNB]'Is he is a frame of mind to play? I don't know.'[LNB] 'Hugely disrespectful' Liverpool have made no contact over Jones, slams BruceLiverpool boss Benitez set to snap up Jones on loan to solve striker crisisJANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW 2010: All moves at every Premier League clubSUNDERLAND FC
