Sunderland’s evanescent chairman Bob Murray has moved to calm supporters’ fears that star players may have to be sold during the January transfer windows.
Recent rumours have linked Julio Arca with Celtic and Mart Poom with promotion rivals West Ham now that David James has gone to Manchester City – but Murray denies that any player HAS to go for the club’s sake. Manager Mick McCarthy has repeatedly stated that he has no intention of letting Arca go at the moment, but the rumours continue among some sections of supporters.
Murray told SAFC.com: “Arca and Poom will not go in the window, no matter what offers come in.
“No player who Mick wants to keep will go in the window. People are not welcome to make offers. If anyone has made any sort of approach at all, they’ve been told it’s not needed.
Additionally, Murray said that McCarthy has been granted permission to sign seven players, either on permanent or loan contracts.
“Mick and I had a few words in September. I said that if we were in a position to challenge in January, I would do everything in my power to ensure the finances were there to enable us to keep this size of squad for the run-in.”
And the chairman confirmed that Sunderland’s bid for Huddersfield’s Jon Stead still stands, and he hasn’t given up hope of signing the youngster. “If Huddersfield accept the offer he could come.
“The bid for him is still on the table and if Mick asks for another player we’ll try our best.”
