Sunderland eye bid for Bolton striker Davies
Kevin Davies
SUNDERLAND are considering offering Bolton Wanderers’ icon Kevin Davies a permanent deal in order to clinch his move to the Stadium of Light.
The 34-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and his availability has attracted a string of interested clubs.
But none have offered the striker a permanent contract so far and Sunderland know that doing so would see them steal a march on their rivals.
Davies is one of the highest earners at the Reebok and manager Owen Coyle is known to favour a drive towards younger players on lesser wages.
But the forward’s wages are not sky-high by Premier League standards and well within Sunderland’s range.
A sticking point could be the type and length of the contract.
Sunderland’s plan was to look only at loan deals in the current window but that would leave them likely to be disappointed, with Davies more likely to stay at the Reebok and leave at the end of the season.
The hard-working, experienced forward originally wanted a two-year extension to his stay at the club he joined in 2003. Initially he was offered a one-year deal but Bolton have subsequently withdrawn that and Davies, who has found his first-team place no longer guaranteed, seems certain to leave.
Wolves, West Brom, Celtic and Rangers have all been linked with an interest, but in many ways Davies could be perfect for Sunderland right now.
He offers the squad something it currently lacks – physical power and presence up front, the ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play and above all vast experience.
Martin O’Neill refused to be drawn on any interest Sunderland might have.
“You couldn’t ask me to comment on other team’s players,” he said.
But he did confirm: “The loan market is something that ourselves and others are looking at but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of stuff happening.
“We had a passive interest in things but the Nicklas Bendtner situation – with him being out for weeks – means that it is now something that we really have to look at.
“We are left with several up and coming young strikers now and three or four tough months ahead of us.
“A lot of deals are dependent on what other clubs do. Teams are unlikely to want to sell too many good players in the window. But I have to look at bolstering the squad and see if we can do something if at all possible.
“It’s the right thing to do.
“Nicklas Bendtner or Stephane Sessegnon for example could have come through January fine and then got injured in the first week of February, and that’s what we’ve got to look to guard against.”
Davies’ best days are undoubtedly behind him but a permanent deal might still make sense. He’s a model pro and would undoubtedly be a positive influence on a youthful squad.
And with Sunderland bristling with young and energetic players, the veteran would not need to be relied on to run himself ragged in games as he has done for the past decade.
On top of that, with former boss Steve Bruce having looked to add goals from other areas in the summer, other than his front men, Sunderland would not need the Bolton captain to be prolific.
Midfielders Seb Larsson, Craig Gardner, David Vaughan, Jack Colback, James McClean and Kieran Richardson have all got on the scoresheet and would no doubt thrive on Davies’ ability to take the knocks up front and hold the ball upfield.
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Thursday 23 February 2012
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Comments
There are 48 comments to this article
Page 1 of 4
Rokerend1964
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 10:58 PMI would be pleased to see Kevin Davies until the end of the season. I don't want Gyan back, who is just another Teves situation for me. Let them rot. Let them count their money when others are playing football. Ask them again when they are 37 and havn't played a game. I don't ever want to see Gyan in a Sunderland strip again. He said he left for football reasons!!! Gyan if you wanted to play for an arab team, come to south shields bonny lad, I'll take you to Laygate.
boat73
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 09:53 PMNo No No decent player so was Andy Cole
ROKERDOK
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 09:51 PMMackemlad do you not understand the concept of a forum? People share opinions and even ones we don't agree with. Try discuss the subject and not the person.
shaggy
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 08:54 PMthe sc*ms reserves have just been hammered 6-0 by man u reserves ! if thats their up & coming team the rest of the premiership has nothing to worry about !!!!!! total sh*te
mackemlad9-1
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 06:46 PMCan people not just be happy that were winning games for fk sake get a grip
ROKERDOK
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 06:45 PMPrefer Doyle or Zamora but they won't be available till the summer. After offloading the Nos we have the capacity and nothing to lose. I like him.
Offshoremackem
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 06:25 PMTV say BW turned down loan request.
stripeyftm
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 05:26 PMmikeyarms spot on assessment as a rhetorical question, trust has to be earned whereas faith is blind, myself i think everythings running smoothly for us and yes at times weve punched above our weight , but we are winning those winable games and thats the massive difference between bruce and oneil.i,ll be honest in saying i cant get excited over kevin davis and someone mentioned zamora, now theres a lad who can play lone striker who funnily enough spends most of his time down either flank and runs at defenders either from the flanks or cutting in to the channels, you wont see him stood down the middle fighting 2 centre halfs hmmm
pallionjon
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 05:24 PMMikeyArms, I obviously would have questioned MON if he had us performing like Bruce but he has not. MON has us off to a great start, the team now seem to be cohesive unit, in addition his record as a top 6 manager with tactical nouse gives me some confidence. That said I stick by my previous comments that he will have achieved something if we are still in the EPL next year, that is not a standard I aspire to for the future and hope we can kick on next year. Only a few weeks ago I felt we were doomed and he has given us hope but is still early days, throughout my life SAFC have shown promise only to disappoint us, I am hopeful that he can change that.
TheBlackCat
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 05:23 PMNo doubt KD would be an asset to our squad, not just as regards goal-getting, but his experience would also be invaluable with regards to helping bring on our promising youngsters. And as for The C--ptain, someone please have a word or two in his ear, though I guess there may be a genuine reason for his infantile ramblings, ie he's missing his good buddy halfwit51 (or rather 5-2).
TheBlackCat
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 05:19 PMNo doubt KD
bigalow
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 05:09 PMCaptain wooden top, didn't Pardew sign Stefi Kuqi (however its spelled) in the January window? Was that a good signing? You plonker.Posting at 09:57am, you off school today? Nappy Rash?
fabster1973
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 04:42 PMcan only agree that he looks as if he could be just what we need.......... strength and ability to hold the ball up would suit our current hit-them-on-the-break style of play, and would suit perfectly the pace of sess and mcclean.
Offshoremackem
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 04:25 PMMikeyarmless you just cannot let go can you. Go and see a shrink about the chip on your shoulder and how to get rid of it.
mackemlad9-1
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 04:22 PMCaptainln*bhead what kind of man uses LOL?too much time spent with children are you sure your not from boro?
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