Source: Northern_Echo
Cats sell Jones for record fee
KENWYNE Jones became the most expensive player ever to be sold by Sunderland when he joined Stoke City last night in a deal that could be worth up to £10m. The Wearsiders also completed the capture of versatile Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha and Lyon's John Mensah on season-long loans. Both players are in contention to face Birmingham City on Saturday. Manager Steve Bruce admitted that his decision to allow Jones to join their Premier League rivals came after he finally lost patience with the striker's inconsistent form. Jones joins the Potters, who finished last season three points ahead of Sunderland, on a four-year contract. Bruce expects to complete a season's loan move for Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck before this weekend's Premier League opener to boost his attacking ranks that consist of Darren Bent, Fraizer Campbell and Martyn Waghorn. Jones' departure in a deal worth an initial £8m will allow Welbeck to gain the regular first team experience at Sunderland that Sir Alex Ferguson has made a prerequisite of the England Under-21's move from Old Trafford. The 19-year-old has made only eight Premier League appearances for United, scoring one goal, but he is regarded as a hot prospect by Ferguson who has Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Javier Hernandez and Michael Owen as his senior strikers. Bruce has also been linked with interest in Man City frontman Roque Santa Cruz but his wages could deter Sunderland who are determined to reduce their payroll costs this summer. Sunderland turned down a reported £16m bid from Tottenham for Jones in January 2009 and have previously fended- off interest from Liverpool. Prior to the completion of yesterday's deal the Sunderland manager outlined his reasons for selling the 25-yearold when he said: There has always been a frustration with me and I think with supporters who have watched Kenwyne that you see an abundance of talent but it has not come out often enough for us for whatever reason. In management you get paid to make some important decisions sometimes. Stoke have been badgering me for a year. Everyone knows they love a big, traditional centreforward and he might go and suit them. Towards the end with Kenwyne, things were not working out so I have accepted Stoke's offer and given him permission to speak to them. Jones scored 28 goals in 101 appearances for the Black Cats following his arrival from Southampton in a deal valued at £6m, but since Bruce's arrival at the club he has impressed only sporadically.