Roker Roundup: Peterborough owner slams target & former Sunderland flop named England captain

MacAnthony rallies against Sunderland target

There were reports last week of Peterborough United having a bid accepted for Oldham Athletic defender George Edmundson, a player Sunderland are also reportedly interested in.

Edmundson has also been linked with a move to Portsmouth, Rangers, Reading, Hull City and Wigan Athletic but Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony revealed his club had pulled out of the move for the 21-year-old last night.

Without naming the player or the club involved, MacAnthony took to Twitter to give an insight as to why the deal fell through:

So regarding everything out there about CB from L2 club we’ve been constantly linked with - as follows, our club agreed in writing with them a fee for player & were given permission to speak to player/agent over 8 days ago. Player was on holiday but plan was for player to come to club last Friday for medical & contract discussions day after he returned from holiday.

3 days prior a story leaked we’d agreed a fee and full detail on all aspects of transfer out there for all to see. Nothing new in football & expected. Other clubs see article (it worked).

So those clubs agreed fee. Our Friday appointment with player still happening as per our agreement with club who owns him. 36 hours before this meeting with player, club contacts us to state our deal is off unless we pay more blah blah . I won’t budge as a deal is a deal imo.

We then told we no longer allowed meet player on Friday unless we renegotiate with his club. Out of principal I won’t do it. Had lots happen over transfers in 12 years BUT never had club try pull that re an agreed transfer that was hammered out in person and by email etc.

So I now officially pulling us from deal. Could have remained silent but due to leak from last week it’s important our fans know truth re the deal. And I most certainly won’t be dealing with said club owners involved ever again. Been in football 12 years but still get new surprises.

We’ve had phenomenal window so far & still few more bits to add but in great shape. Can’t land them all unfortunately but will always keep trying. Said club in all this threatened legal action if I spoke (irony after all leaks on deal last week). Hope that clears it all up.

Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Sunderland flop named England captain

England kick off their 2019 European under-21 Championships tomorrow, as they take on France in the Stadio Dino Manuzzi in Italy.

Ahead of their opening fixture, England manager Aidy Boothroyd has named former Sunderland loanee Jake Clarke-Salter as the Three Lions captain for the tournament.

Clarke-Salter was brought to Sunderland by Chris Coleman in January 2018 but had a torrid time during his brief loan spell from Chelsea, topped off by red cards in consecutive appearances - against Middlesbrough and Preston North End.

Oviedo stars for Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s Gold Cup campaign got under way in the early hours of yesterday morning and they had a triumphant start thanks to a 4-0 win over Nicaragua.

Sunderland’s Bryan Oviedo had a starring role in that victory with the left-back giving his country the lead after just seven minutes when he overlapped and fired past Justo Lorente from a tight angle.

Goals from Celso Borges, Elias Aguilar and Allan Cruz completed the easy victory in Costa Rica’s opening fixture and they now take on Bermuda on Friday knowing a win will almost certainly see them safely through to the next round.