Sunderland striker 'target' weighs-up foreign move as Joey Barton receives criticism from ex-player

As ever, there’s plenty of talk surrounding Sunderland and their rivals at the moment...
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The truth behind Sheffield United's interest in Dion Sanderson has been ‘revealed’ as Sunderland eye permanent transfer swoop for the former loanee defender.

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And we’ve taken a look at the state of play with Sunderland's out-of-contract four and how it will impact upcoming transfer business.

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 10:  Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton looks on prior to the Sky Bet League One match between Northampton Town and Bristol Rovers at PTS Academy Stadium on April 10, 2021 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 10:  Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton looks on prior to the Sky Bet League One match between Northampton Town and Bristol Rovers at PTS Academy Stadium on April 10, 2021 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 10: Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton looks on prior to the Sky Bet League One match between Northampton Town and Bristol Rovers at PTS Academy Stadium on April 10, 2021 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

Here, though, we take you through some of the key Sunderland and League One stories from around the web that you may have missed today:

Sunderland-linked striker set for move abroad

Sunderland-linked Guy Melamed is in advanced talks with two clubs in Israel.

That’s according to the Herald and Times Sport who state that the former St Johnstone striker is weighing up a return to his homeland.

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The 28-year-old moved to McDiarmid Park last summer and played a key role for the Perth club as they landed a historic cup double.

The Scottish outfit bagged the FA Cup and League cup and qualified for the Europa League in the process.

Melamed had been linked with Sunderland and their League One rivals Ipswich Town after his contract expired.

But reports now suggest that Melamed will likely return to Isreal with two clubs currently in discussions with his representatives.

Player takes aim at Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton

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Gillingham defender Max Ehmer has launched a scathing attack on old boss Joey Barton.

The pair worked together at Bristol Rovers as the club were relegated to League Two.

Ehmer recently signed a deal to stay in League One with Gillingham following his release by Rovers.

In an interview with Kent Online, Ehmer said of the situation between himself and Barton: “I’m not going to go too much in depth with it, but it was strange,”

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“From how he was speaking to me when he first came in to what he came out and said was odd.

“It was almost like I got scapegoated.

“How can you blame someone who’s injured when you first come in, missed a couple of weeks with my shoulder and then I played 45 minutes at Hull and 45 minutes at Plymouth and somehow it’s all my fault?

“At the end of the day some people just need to look at themselves rather than blaming others I suppose.”

Indeed, Barton publically questioned why the 29-year-old was given the Bristol Rovers armband.

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Ehmer continued: “He came for me a couple of times in meetings but he was always positive, that’s what made it even more strange.

“The day he released the article was the day he agreed to let me get my shoulder operated on, so then I saw all the reports saying I wasn’t committed to it, but my shoulder had no ligaments in it, so I think I had to get it done regardless.

“I was trying to play on, trying to help the club and it got to a point where I couldn’t, and he agreed to let me get it done.”

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