With the start of the season just a few days away, Sunderland are scrambling to bring in additional players to bolster their squad. Following the end of last season they have lost a large number of players and still have not adequately replaced them all.
With Gus Poyet looking to bring in players who can make an immediate impact and who he can trust, it shouldn’t come as a great shock that the North East club are now being linked with Will Buckley.
The Brighton player previously played under Gus Poyet when he was in charge of the club. According to The Sunderland Echo the winger was left out of the Brighton side that played in the League Cup last night, fuelling speculation that he was subject to a bid from The Black Cats.
After the game Brighton manager Sami Hyypia refused to say why the player was unavailable for selection, but did reveal: “You will hear in a few days”.
Meanwhile The Shield’s Gazette is reporting that the Wearside club have agreed a £2.5 million fee for the 24-year-old. Buckley has played for Brighton since joining the side in 2011. He has become an important member of the squad, making over 90 league appearances.
Previously the winger had been linked with a move to Sunderland with reports suggesting his prior relationship with Gus Poyet was a big factor in the decision to move. He would be the second player to make the move from Brighton to Sunderland, following in the footsteps of fellow teammate Liam Bridcutt.
Sunderland are still in the hunt for other players though. Poyet has reiterated his desire to sign Italian striker Fabio Borini even though the potential transfer has been ongoing for several weeks now.
