Gus can’t stop flops returning
GUS POYET has been left with a £ 500,000 summer headache by the return of his four loan flops.
Sunderland boss Poyet is keen to offload out- of- favour quartet Danny Graham, Alfred N’Diaye, Modibo Diakite and Cabral – who were all farmed out soon after the South American took charge last season.
But the foursome have all been told they won’t be offered permanent deals by the clubs who borrowed them.
Middlesbrough would like striker Graham but can’t afford his Premier League wages, and Senegal midfielder N’Diaye is back after failing to earn a permanent move to Spanish side Real Betis.
French defender Diakite ( Fiorentina) and Swiss midfielder Cabral ( Genoa) – both signed by Paolo Di Canio 12 months ago – will return to Wearside for pre- season training in July.
Cabral’s agent, Walter Fernandez, admitted: “I don’t think Genoa will take up the option on his loan.
“He’s got two years left on his Sunderland contract and he’ll be back in July.”
Overhaul
It means frustration for boss Poyet, who had hoped to rid himself of the quartet to free up valuable funds for squad strengthening.
The return of the four means an extra £ 60,000 a week on Sunderland’s wage bill – money Poyet had earmarked for helping to fund a major player overhaul this summer.
Seb Larsson is set to perform a huge contract u- turn by staying at the Stadium of Light.
The Swedish midfielder looked set to leave after talks stalled on a new deal.
Hull, Napoli and a posse of clubs in Turkey have all been monitoring the situation of the 28- year- old.
But Sunderland want to reward Larsson for his part in fighting off relegation by awarding him a new contract.
His agent, Per Jonsson, said: “They’ve suggested about a new contact and we’ll see what they come back with.”