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It appears as if Gino Peruzzi could be the next through the door at the Stadium of Light. We were first linked with him last week, he then said he was interested in a move and explained how the Premier League appealed to him and now he has give another interview ahead of his impending move to Sunderland.
In an interview with Ole, he maintained that he would only make a decision on his future after Velez Sarsfield's Super-Final game against Newell's Old Boys later tonight but admitted that if he is leaving, he wishes to leave as a champion;
I would go as a champion, I want to win to take another star (referring to the blue stars on Velez shirts for winning the Argentine title).
He was then asked if he was surprised that he was set for a move to the Premier League;
It's nice. And in a league, that for me, is one of the best because of the pace it has. I think English football is more even.
Peruzzi also asked for advice from Christian Bassedas, current Velez manager and former Newcastle United midfielder;
Yes, I asked about the city, the people, etc. He told me about some of the teams. He liked playing there.
He was even asked if he had ever played as Sunderland on FIFA, to which he replied;
No, I have never used [them], ha!
Clearly a man with sense considering our team last season!
It all sounds very positive and with the fee thought to be around $5m (about £3.3m), he could be a relatively low-cost solution to our recent right-back woes. Nothing is signed yet though and according to the Velez chairman, Julio Baldomar, Manchester City are also interested in the Argentinian international;
Peruzzi? There are two English clubs [interested]... Sunderland and Manchester City.
Although there are no suggestions that any other clubs have made an offer, there is still the possibility of Man City, Inter Milan or a club from Ukraine attempting to join in the race to sign him.
However, with the finale of the Argentine season taking place at 11pm GMT tonight, which will also feature Ignacio Scocco (another reported Sunderland target), we may not have to wait too long for further developments.