Reports: Interest In Zambian Stopper Cools

After undergoing a recent trial period at Sunderland it would appear that a move for TP Mazembe defender Stoppila Sunzu isn't on the club's immediate agenda.

Sunzu had previously undergone a trial at Reading, who were keen to sign the six-foot-three-inch defender before it was suggested that he wasn't a a free agent as his agent had described.

Martin O'Neill told the Sunderland Echo today that Sunzu had been on trial, but he will certainly command a fee which seems to have put the club off a little;

What has happened there is that he had gone to Reading believing he was a free agent.

Reading were interested in him and dealt with it properly and they decided to pull out of any move until they felt things were successfully resolved.

In the meantime, he was still in the country and was looking at places to go and we were a possibility because we could be construed as short of defensive cover despite bringing Kader Mangane in.

But it looks clear now that the situation has been resolved and he is, in fact, under contract and would command a transfer fee.

Whilst O'Neill doesn't rule out a move for him, there doesn't seem to be a great showing of interest now it's been confirmed he's still under contract with TP Mazembe.

The Congolese giants are reportedly holding out for a fee in the region of £4m for the player who has two years left to run on his current deal, which would be a huge gamble we're unlikely to take.