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The club have been linked with a move for a couple of new names this evening, Ashley Williams of Swansea and Lazio's Luis Pedro Cavanda.
Swansea manager Garry Monk confirmed yesterday that the Welsh club are in talks with Williams over a new contract, with both parties hoping a deal can be struck;
We're in negotiations with his representatives and trying to put a deal across so that Ash will be here for the future of the club.
I know Ash wants that, I want that, the club wants that and that's what we're working towards as we speak.
That hasn't stopped speculation that the 29-year-old may be on the move however, with Williams reported to have had a medical at Queens Park Rangers and now Gus Poyet has been linked with a move for the player. Earlier in the day Sky Bet reported that the odds of Williams signing for Sunderland had been slashed from 25/1 to 6/4 favourites and shortly thereafter the Daily Mail published an article claiming that Poyet was planning a £4m move for the Welsh international.
With Williams in contract negotiations with his current club, where he only has one year remaining, it's not hard to imagine that we are being used as leverage in order for him to get a better contract with Swansea. The player would undoubtedly be a good fit for Sunderland but it's certainly one to take with a pinch of salt.
Meanwhile, Sunderland have also been linked once again with Lazio's Belgian right back Cavanda. Cavanda was heavily linked with Sunderland last year, where he was reportedly close to signing before doing a u-turn and signing a new contract with Lazio.
According to his agent, Ulisse Savini, Cavanda will be leaving Lazio during this transfer, with Sunderland mentioned as a possible destination;
Cavanda is leaving, he will not go to Udinese but somewhere else.
The possibility of remaining at Lazio is very small. Sunderland? May be a hypothesis, we are working on it.
There are also other English clubs and German teams, going abroad is the first choice. His value is around €5-6 million. Right now it is important to find a club that is willing to invest in this player to make him play regularly.
Since we were last linked with Cavanda we have changed our entire coaching and transfer set-ups, so it's difficult to believe we have retained our interest and we have also signed Billy Jones who will presumably be our first-chocie right back. Despite those factors, Cavanda would provide pace, power and attacking intent from the full back position, something that is vital to how Sunderland play under Poyet and is still only 23, but with the player costing around £4m, it's likely to be too expensive a deal considering Jones' arrival and our needs elsewhere in the squad.
Stay tuned to Roker Report throughout the summer as we keep you up to date with all the transfer news and rumours. Also, feel free to keep in touch with our dedicated Transfer Centre, which you can do by CLICKING HERE.
