Source: Northern_Echo
Bruce closes his window after double signing
HAVING completed the double capture of Sulley Muntari and Stephane Sessegnon on Saturday afternoon, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will adopt a watching brief during the final day of the transfer window.HAVING completed the double capture of Sulley Muntari and Stephane Sessegnon on Saturday afternoon, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will adopt a watching brief during the final day of the transfer window. Bruce has made a number of inquiries in an attempt to secure a short-term replacement for Darren Bent, but has not been quoted a price or wage structure he feels is realistic. As a result, unless there is significant movement from one of his targets or their parent club later today, he will resist the temptation to enter the market before the window swings shut. One or two of his fringe players could leave Wearside, following the lead of striker David Healy, who completed a permanent move to Rangers yesterday. Andy Reid will join Blackpool today, potentially as a replacement for Charlie Adam, while Paulo Da Silva has joined Spanish side Real Zaragoza. Sunderland also fielded an inquiry about Cristian Riveros. Further action is not anticipated, though, with the likes of Ricardo Fuller, Jay Bothroyd and Danny Koevermans all unlikely to move to the Stadium of Light, Fuller has expressed a desire to talk to Sunderland officials, but Stoke continue to demand up to £4m for his services, a price Bruce feels is much too high. The 31-year-old's wage demands, which are understood to be around £60,000-a-week, would also represent a huge obstacle to any deal. When Bent joined Aston Villa for £24m 13 days ago, Bruce was initially keen to sign a like-for-like replacement, but his stance has altered in the last fortnight. Sessegnon's arrival helps the Frenchman can play as a centre-forward as well as an attacking midfielder while the anticipated return of Danny Welbeck and Fraizer Campbell in around five weeks time also tempers the need for another attacker. Sessegnon signed a three-and-a-half year contract to complete a £6m move from Paris St Germain, and completed his first training session with the rest of Sunderland's first-team squad yesterday. I am very happy and glad to be here, said the 26-year-old Benin international. The transfer has been long and the execution has been tough, but I am very happy. I can't wait to start in the Premier League. It has been my dream for years. The Premier League is the best league to play in, I have always wanted to play here. I want to thank Niall (Quinn), Steve (Bruce) and Eric (Black) for all the support they have shown me. This transfer has been difficult, but they were always here helping me. Sunderland was the place I wanted to be, even though there were other teams interested. Muntari, a former FA Cup winner who has won back-to-back Serie A titles with Inter Milan, has signed on loan until the end of the season. He is the third Ghana international on the Black Cats' books, joining John Mensah and Asamoah Gyan, and Mensah is convinced Sunderland have signed one of the leading central midfielders in Europe. I have spoken to Sulley and told him what Sunderland is like, said the defender. We all know he is a good player, he helped Portsmouth to win the FA Cup and had a really successful time there. When he was at Inter Milan he won two league titles and the European Cup, so he has fantastic ability. He is a big player. We have played many times for Ghana and he will definitely improve the team. He could be very important for us. He is hard-working and is different to the other midfielders we have at the club. He is used to English football as well so he should not need much time to adapt now he is back. I believe he is going to be a very good player for us. Muntari has returned to Italy to arrange his personal affairs and tie up the loose ends of the deal, so will not be available for tomorrow's home game with Chelsea. Healy will not be involved against the Blues either, as he joined Rangers on a permanent basis yesterday. The Northern Ireland international made a total of 21 senior appearances for the Black Cats, scoring three goals.[LNB]
