Kimpioka: Make me a better offer or I could quit Wearside
STRIKER IN VEILED THREAT TO CATS OVER HIS FUTURE
BENJI Kimpioka has hinted Sunderland might need to up their offer if he is to remain at the club – after admitting he has other offers on the table.
The Swedish academy forward is out of contract at the Stadium of Light but the Black Cats have offered him a new deal which remains unsigned.
With his future still up in the air, Kimpioka is still in his home country training with former club IK Sirius.
The 20-yearold has shown glimpses of quality in his time on Wearside – netting his first league goal for the club in November to earn a draw with Coventry City.
However, his demands for more first-team football appear a little premature.
Despite that, Kimpioka claims he has alternative offers in his latest update on his future.
He said: “It (Sunderland’s offer) is still relevant.
“Their contract proposal is still on the table and it is first and foremost up to me and then my family as to what I should do.
“There are small things you have as a requirement for your contract.
“If other clubs offer better deals, you may want Sunderland, whom you still like, to match it.
“You ask yourself questions but, as I said, Sunderland is a club I love very much and we will see. “There are other alternatives absolutely but I do not want to go out with anything other than that.” While Kimpioka lays in wait over his future, he could find himself slipping further away from the firstteam fold at the Stadium of Light. While he was still in training in Sweden, Sunderland began their pre-season training more than a week ago and played their first friendly of the summer on Saturday – a 3-1 win over Gateshead.
While young academy star Elliot Embleton had to come off early with an injury, manager Phil Parkinson gave an encouraging update after the game by saying it was merely a precaution. Jack Diamond, who excelled while on loan at Harrogate
Town last season, came on as a substitute in the game at the International Stadium and impressed, setting up Will Grigg’s goal in a bright display.
The Black Cats have also added forward Aiden O’Brien to their ranks this summer, while Parkinson confirmed they have held talks with former Black Cat Danny Graham as they look to add one more striker.
This all just bolsters Sunderland’s forward options, leaving Kimpioka somewhat forgotten and unable to stake his claim while not around. However, as an under-21 player, any wage given to the Swede will not count towards the EFL’s new salary cap.
Sunderland will also be due compensation if he does choose to move elsewhere. Kimpioka, though, sounds rather relaxed about the situation.
He added: “Right now I focus on keeping going and being as fit, strong and ready as possible for what is to come in the future. “This is what I focus on the most, since where I end up after this period I am not sure yet.”
You ask yourself questions, but as I said, Sunderland is a club that I love very much and we will see
Benji Kimpioka