Sunderland keeper deal on verge of collapse
Marton Fulop's move to Ipswich Town was on the verge of collapse today, with Sunderland threatening to pull the plug on a move which has quietly been dragging on behind the scenes.
The Hungarian international has been in talks with Ipswich boss Roy Keane at Portman Road for some time and favoured the move to the Championship club.
But the goal posts have been changed several times along the way and, with Sunderland losing patience, Ipswich have been told to get their act together or bail out.
The Echo understands that a fee has been agreed between the two clubs but that Ipswich have tried to look at a loan deal before accepting that it had to be a permanent move.
And the latest sticking point has been the player's personal terms, with no agreement reached.
As things stood this morning, it looked as though the Ipswich deal was dead in the water.
And if the Portman Road club want to revive the move, they need to act quickly because other clubs are waiting in the wings.
Fulop will now turn his thoughts towards Spanish club Hercules, newly-promoted to La Liga, who came in with a bid which was not enough.
Hercules thought they had missed out on one of their major targets as they look to build towards ensuring they stay in the top flight.
But news of Ipswich's failure so far to agree a move will give them fresh heart.
Hercules are now expected to come back with a better offer for Fulop and although the situation remains up in the air, the Blues' move looks off and their Spanish rivals have muscled themselves into pole position.
Bruce, meanwhile, confirmed to the Echo that there had been no progress in either getting John Mensah or David James through the door.
Sunderland's money-men are still mulling over the viability of the Mensah loan deal they have been offered, while veteran keeper James's situation remains one which is not proving swift to resolve.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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