It’s rare that a week goes by at Sunderland without plenty to talk about. The past week has, once again, been no exception. In this edition of the Sunderland weekly round-up, there is an update from businessman Mark Campbell on why his attempted takeover failed.
Two new players arrived and one current high earner departs. We also look at the latest from pre-season as the Black Cats took on Dutch side Heerenveen at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland Weekly Round-Up
Takeover Latest
Businessman Mark Campbell gave his version of events on why his takeover failed to be completed. In an exclusive with the Echo, Campbell had this to say:
“We had the club valued and our price that we agreed to buy the club at the very start, when we first made the bid, dramatically changed as time went on,” he explained. “There were certain components of the deal at the end that weren’t going to work for the club. For us, it came to a point at the end where we had to make a decision.”
Current owner Stewart Donald has recently had his say. Speaking at a live Q&A, Donald suggested that the club would have been no better off: “Would we have any more money to spend in the Championship under that proposal? I wouldn’t say so, no.”
Striker Signs
Reading striker Marc McNulty signed on a season-long loan. With just Will Grigg and Charlie Wyke as first-team strikers, reinforcements were needed. McNulty had a prolific spell at Coventry City before moving to Reading last summer. He had a frustrating time and was sent out on loan to Hibernian in January.
The Scottish side were keen to keep the forward but could not afford the deal. The 26-year-old Scot will now provide competition up front for the Black Cats. Jack Ross and the fans will be hoping he can replicate the form that saw him score 28 goals for Coventry the season before he headed to Reading.
Walsall Captain Becomes Fifth Signing
21-year-old box-to-box midfielder George Dobson became Jack Ross’s fifth signing of the summer. He signed from Walsall for an undisclosed fee. The former West Ham and Arsenal youth player was Walsall’s captain last season. Even at a young age, he has played over 100 league games. He also has experience playing in Holland where he spent time with Sparta Rotterdam.
Bryan Oviedo Departs
Costa Rica international Bryan Oviedo has left the club. The left-back was one of, if not the highest earner in the squad. As reported last week in the Sunderland Echo, Oviedo spoke to the media in his native country:
“With Sunderland, I would not continue anymore, we have reached an agreement, I have free way to sign with another team. With Sunderland, there is a 98% chance that I will not continue.”
On Monday 29th July, it was confirmed by Sunderland’s official website that Oviedo had joined FC Copenhagen.
Sunderland Weekly Round-Up: Goal-Shy Black Cats Defeated at Home
Sunderland failed to score for the third successive friendly. Heerenveen visited the Stadium of Light and returned home with a one-nil victory. The Black Cats had chances but failed to convert any of them. Some are becoming worried with the lack of goals due to the season being just around the corner. However, manager Jack Ross is not concerned. Speaking to the Sunderland Echo after the game he said:
“Pre-season would trouble me more if you don’t see signs that we are trying to do things the right way. There is a collective responsibility for us to be more ruthless. But we have still managed to create within the games, set pieces or open play, and that gives me confidence that we can do it.”
Sunderland were missing several key players. Aiden McGeady, Chris Maguire, Charlie Wyke and Duncan Watmore missed out. Should these players return soon, Sunderland should have the firepower and creativity to turn chances into goals.
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