Forest and Black Cats set to battle for Jerome’s signature
CHAMPIONSHIP duo Nottingham Forest and Sunderland are set to lock horns in the battle to land Norwich City striker Cameron Jerome.
The 30-year-old former Cardiff man moved to Carrow Road back in 2014 after a stint at Premier League outfit Stoke City, and has since proven to be a quality forward at Championship level, if not at topflight level.
Jerome bagged 18 goals in 41 matches back in the 2014/15 campaign to help the Canaries earn promotion to the top tier, but could only net three times the season after in the Premier League as the Norfolkbased side suffered immediate relegation back to the second tier.
Yet the former Birmingham striker hit back with 16 goals last term for the club to underline his prowess in the Championship, and it has reportedly attracted the interest of Mark Warburton’s Nottingham Forest and Simon Grayson’s Sunderland.
Forest saw top-scorer and talisman Britt Assombalonga leave the club last week in a £15 million move to fellow Championship outfit Middlesbrough, and thus may seek reinforcements in the attacking department this summer in a bid to climb the division next time round.
New Black Cats chief Grayson has seen Jermain Defoe, Victor Anichebe, and Fabio Borini all depart the club this summer and, although he has brought James Vaughan in from Bury, their striking ranks look thin on the ground ahead of the new season, and bringing in an experienced and prolific Championship forward like Jerome could be invaluable in their quest to compete next term.
It has been reported that Forest are willing to bid £6m for Jerome’s services to state their intent in the race, and whether Sunderland are keen or even able to match that figure very much remains to be seen.
Aston Villa have signed Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan in a deal which could rise to £2million.
The 33-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-year contract at Villa Park, bringing to an end his nineyear association with the Premier League side.
“I have enjoyed happy times at Stoke, but now is the time for a new football adventure - and what a club to join in Aston Villa,” Whelan said.
“We may be in the Championship but everything about this club screams Premier League – and it’s the job of the players to get us back up there.
“I am looking forward to working with Steve Bruce. I know he has a phenomenal record in achieving promotion to the top flight and, having spoken to him at length, I am more than aware of how much he wants to get back there again with this great club.”
Villa have paid Stoke an initial £1.25million but the fee could rise to £2million with certain add-ons and clauses.
Whelan made more than 330 appearances for Stoke after joining the club from Sheffield Wednesday for £500,000 in January 2008.
He helped the Potters clinch promotion to the Premier League during the 2008/09 season and was a mainstay in the team as Stoke went on to establish themselves in the top flight.
The Republic of Ireland international becomes the fourth new arrival at Villa this summer after the signings of Ahmed Elmohamady, John Terry and Sam Johnstone.