http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/EXCLUSIVE-Sunderland-striker-in-demand.6502000.jp
Leicester City will test Sunderland's resolve to hang on to young prospect Martyn Waghorn by re-tabling a £2million offer ahead of tomorrow's transfer deadline.
Steve Bruce made clear at the end of last season that youngsters like Waghorn, along with fellow Academy products Jack Colback and Jordan Henderson, would form an important part of his squad this campaign.
And he insisted they were not for sale and would not be going out on loan again.
But the Foxes, struggling at the wrong end of the Championship, are hoping to exploit Sunderland's need to raise money to pursue an interest in Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan and will make it clear that the £2m offer made months ago for the youngster remains on offer.
Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn was in France on Saturday, unsuccessfully trying to broker a dealfor the Ghanaian international.
And with Ellis Short still to sanction any moves for either of Bruce's targets – Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia or Gyan – Leicester will hope Sunderland sacrifice Waghorn in order to raise money for either player.
It's a far cry from Short's early days in control of the club when the American's cheque book was opened regularly and generously.
Bruce's transfer requests are no greater than those of his predecessor, Roy Keane.
Less than £20m would buy both players and Short has previously backed much larger spending sprees.
But the American is believed to be pushing a more prudent approach and wants the manager to spend only money that he receives from transfers.
Bruce is in surplus so far, with the £8m sale of Kenwyne Jones, £5m transfer of Lorik Cana and £1.5m sale of Daryl Murphy, not to mention the £1.5m final instalment on the Michael Chopra transfer fee deal all coming in.
But unless the purse strings are loosened, he will not be able to bring in either Gyan or N'Zogbia and Leicester will hope Sunderland's difficulty will be their opportunity.
The Black Cats are prepared to let George McCartney, Teemu Tainio, David Healy, Anton Ferdinand and Phil Bardsley leave the club.
But there are no takers for any, while Waghorn is a saleable asset.
It could be a difficult choice for Sunderland.
But Leicester will have been dismayed yesterday to see Fraizer Campbell stretchered off during Sunderland's 1-0 win over Manchester City. The loss of Campbell leaves Sunderland with only three strikers at their disposal – Darren Bent, Danny Welbeck and Waghorn.
Leicester City will test Sunderland's resolve to hang on to young prospect Martyn Waghorn by re-tabling a £2million offer ahead of tomorrow's transfer deadline.
Steve Bruce made clear at the end of last season that youngsters like Waghorn, along with fellow Academy products Jack Colback and Jordan Henderson, would form an important part of his squad this campaign.
And he insisted they were not for sale and would not be going out on loan again.
But the Foxes, struggling at the wrong end of the Championship, are hoping to exploit Sunderland's need to raise money to pursue an interest in Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan and will make it clear that the £2m offer made months ago for the youngster remains on offer.
Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn was in France on Saturday, unsuccessfully trying to broker a dealfor the Ghanaian international.
And with Ellis Short still to sanction any moves for either of Bruce's targets – Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia or Gyan – Leicester will hope Sunderland sacrifice Waghorn in order to raise money for either player.
It's a far cry from Short's early days in control of the club when the American's cheque book was opened regularly and generously.
Bruce's transfer requests are no greater than those of his predecessor, Roy Keane.
Less than £20m would buy both players and Short has previously backed much larger spending sprees.
But the American is believed to be pushing a more prudent approach and wants the manager to spend only money that he receives from transfers.
Bruce is in surplus so far, with the £8m sale of Kenwyne Jones, £5m transfer of Lorik Cana and £1.5m sale of Daryl Murphy, not to mention the £1.5m final instalment on the Michael Chopra transfer fee deal all coming in.
But unless the purse strings are loosened, he will not be able to bring in either Gyan or N'Zogbia and Leicester will hope Sunderland's difficulty will be their opportunity.
The Black Cats are prepared to let George McCartney, Teemu Tainio, David Healy, Anton Ferdinand and Phil Bardsley leave the club.
But there are no takers for any, while Waghorn is a saleable asset.
It could be a difficult choice for Sunderland.
But Leicester will have been dismayed yesterday to see Fraizer Campbell stretchered off during Sunderland's 1-0 win over Manchester City. The loss of Campbell leaves Sunderland with only three strikers at their disposal – Darren Bent, Danny Welbeck and Waghorn.
