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Talk of a swap deal between Sunderland and Fiorentina for Marcos Alonso and Modibo Diakite has been on-going all summer and now it looks like Sunderland are trying to finally push that deal through.
According to reports in Italy, Sunderland have bid €2m and Modibo Diakite for their former loanee Marcos Alonso. The report claims that is a tempting offer for Fiorentina with their head coach Vincenzo Montella hoping to see Diakite return to Florence after he spent the second half of last season on loan at the Serie A club.
Alonso has reportedly asked for guarantees of regular playing time with Fiorentina but that is not something Montella can give considering club captain Manuel Pasqual is the first choice left back and Peruvian international Juan Manuel Vargas is also at the club. In fact when he has featured in pre-season for Fiorentina it has been out of position on the left hand side of a back three, rather than his usual left back slot, a situation which will hopefully play into Sunderland's hands, as they look to agree a deal for the Spaniard.
As Sunderland look to engineer a swap deal, one other move looks to have been complicated. With Nacho Scocco edging closer to a move to Newell's, River Plate have attempted to throw a late spanner in the works. According to Argentine journalist Tati Paultroni;
Oferta de River en la últimas horas por Scocco, supera la de NOB y mejor plan de pago para Sunderland.
— ⚽ (@Tati_Paultroni) July 17, 2014
Translated, that says River have just made an offer for Scocco that exceeds that of Newell's and an offer that is closer to what Sunderland want for the striker.
Although River have made a better offer for his services, Scocco has made no secret of the fact that he wishes to return to Newell's, so Sunderland and River will have their work cut out convincing the player to move elsewhere.
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.
