Sunderland turn to freebies Seb Larsson and David Vaughan after Kevin Gameiro snub

20 May 2011 01:33
ShareSunderland manager Steve Bruce is confident he will add at least two free signings in the next week but he looks set to miss out on Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro.[LNB]Bruce and his scouting team have been watching a host of targets who will be available on Bosman frees at the end of the month, with Birmingham midfielder Seb Larsson and Blackpool's David Vaughan at the top of his list since January.[LNB]Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd, who looks certain to leave the Welsh club after their Championship play-off exit, has also been constantly monitored by Sunderland, although there is competition from Newcastle for his signature.[LNB] Target: Blackpool's David Vaughan and Birmingham midfielder Seb Larsson are both wanted by Sunderland[LNB]Leeds midfielder Bradley Johnson has just turned down a three-year deal, which leaves him free to quit Elland Road, and Stoke are expected to release former Norway striker John Carew.[LNB]But ?12 million-rated France international Gameiro has told his advisers he would prefer a move to Spain if he is to leave Lorient. Villarreal, Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla are all interested in Gameiro, who was watched by Bruce and his assistant Eric Black at the weekend.[LNB]Sunderland's double player of the year Phil Bardsley has urged club owner Ellis Short to keep faith in Bruce after a promising season petered out.[LNB] Snub: Hot property Kevin Gameiro (right) would rather to move to Spain than England[LNB]Bardsley, named fans and players' player of the season, said Bruce had helped transform his career, and deserved credit for the improvements he has made at the Stadium of Light.[LNB]He said: 'He has had some stick but he has done a great job. He is the perfect manager, a great manager. He has bundles of respect for the players and the players respect him for what he has done in the game.[LNB]'The last few months have been difficult and have not worked out as he would have wanted but he has dug in and made sure the players have done the same. I think he has done a brilliant job and we can only get better in the coming seasons.[LNB]'I owe everything to him. I went through a period asking if I loved the game anymore. I had a chat with the manager, got my head down, came back in decent shape last summer. He showed me he had faith in me and that was so important.' [LNB] United should be fined if second string play, says Wolves owner MorganDon't be a Twit! Wenger fires social network warning to Arsenal stars Arsenal seek Blackburn's Samba magic in ?12m deal to fix leaky defence[LNB]  Explore more:People: David Vaughan, John Carew, Jay Bothroyd, Eric Black, Steve Bruce Places: Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham, Spain, France, Norway

Source: Daily_Mail