Premier interest in Utaka?

As much as I do not like hearing other managers talking about other teams' players, of course ours, this happens and sometimes needs must so this raises the hopes that so and so will go.

Although if it is agent talk this always seems less likely to be closer to the truth, merely said to 'raise interest' in a client. When it is a player doing this talking - namely John Utaka in this instance - it seems even less likely!

So, having Utaka quoted in Compass - a Nigeria paper - 'claiming' that Sunderland have shown an interest does not do much to raise the hopes that it is true, although he has: 'as a player I love challenges, and it will be nice to don the colours of Sunderland in the Premiership.

'I have heard about the move from Sunderland, but it's like speculations to me, but I pray something tangible happens before the end of this week.'

And why would Sunderland not want him, what a fantastic footballer who had an outstanding world cup with Nigeria in each and every of the outings that he had. He was especially good against umm, err, oh hang on he did not even get off the bench, let alone onto the pitch! I guess that was another challenge for him...

Who am I trying to kid?! John, trust me you are not the only one 'praying something tangible happens' so I too hope that you can be donning the colours of Sunderland soon - although I will believe this when I see it...

A return to France, at least to former club Rennes, is not going to happen though: 'I love French football so much, but it is not true that I want to go back to France to join Rennes.

'I love challenges but I would love to seek for other challenges and not going back to Rennes.'

We need to offload the guy so if Sunderland come in with £1m, at the very least, then we have to accept this really - hopefully, if there is a genuine interest, it will be more than that but hey ho!

Speaking of 'interest' in players, this in Kevin-Prince Boateng is 'meant' to have increased with Genoa joining Lazio in wanting to sign him?

This is 'said' to have seen David Lampitt, Admin Andy and STILL Storrieteller all go to Italy, according to The News, in the hope of wrapping up a transfer?

PLAY UP POMPEY!



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