Ross talks about Ryan Christie
Jack Ross confirmed his interest in Celtic’s Ryan Christie after our 4-1 away win at Gillingham last night.
The midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and it’s rumoured that Sunderland would like to loan the player with a view to a permanent move in January:
Ryan is a player that I like, he has good qualities but again it is a balance between what we need in the squad.
He is a left footer and we don’t have a lot of them in the squad in forward areas.
He is a player that I am acutely aware of and he fits the kind of bracket in terms of he has played a lot of games for a young man.
Although Ross did admit that any new arrivals may require Papy Djilobodji and Didier Ndong leaving:
That would obviously help us in terms of where we are with everything, not financial fair play, but in terms of how the league looks at us and the model we are trying to put forward.
Naturally we have two and although they are not here, they still have a contractual agreement with the club and could come back.
So, yes [players leaving] that would help.
He also hinted that Lee Cattermole and Bryan Oviedo may stay, with the two AWOL players being the players most likely to leave.
If anything happens it will probably be with the two that haven’t been here.
The club are pushing and I’d imagine there would be a resolution with that sooner or later, that would be the most imminent thing.
Meanwhile, Gillingham manager Steve Lovell was full of praise for Sunderland after the match and there was a special mention for the travelling fans.
SL: "Sunderland are one of the best League 1 sides we have seen here for a few years." #Gills
— Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) August 22, 2018
We would like to give a special mention to the 2087 @SunderlandAFC fans who made the trip for tonight's game.
— Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) August 22, 2018
Fantastic support for a long journey on a Wednesday night and we wish everyone a safe trip home. #Gills pic.twitter.com/u2PgjEmdwW
Reported target not leaving
Sunderland have recently been linked with a move for Dundee midfielder Glen Kamara, with Dundee’s manager Neil McCann admitted that we had shown interest in the player.
He won’t be leaving before the end of the August 31 deadline however, with the 22-year-old saying he is keen to stay with Dundee:
I’ll definitely be here at the end of the month, 100%.
I want to stay and play games, win games and that’s the plan.
Hopefully, I can help the team do that.
It’s been difficult sitting on the sidelines – I’ve hated every minute of it watching from the stands!
Hopefully, I’m back into it soon, I’m feeling fit.
Denayer joins Lyon
Former Sunderland loanee Jason Denayer has finally departed Manchester City on a permanent basis after he signed for Ligue 1 side Lyon.
The 23-year-old has had loan spells at Sunderland, Celtic and two separate loans at Galatasaray during his time at City but he has signed a four-year deal at the Stade De Lyon.
Speaking after the move was confirmed, the Belgian international said although he learned a lot through his loan deals, he is ready for some stability in his career:
Loans have generally been good learning experiences on and off the pitch and this has made me mature.
After so many loans, I want some stability in my career again. I hope to find it here in Lyon.
Jason Denayer s’engage pour 4 ans ! https://t.co/3wLfMLvPHw
— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) August 21, 2018