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Sunderland are set to swoop in for out-of-favour Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell in a £10million move, according to reports.
The England international has fallen out of favour with City boss Manuel Pellegrini after being initially brought in at The Etihad by Roberto Mancini. The move would serve as a perfect escape route for Rodwell to re-vitalise his fledgling career.
Rodwell arrived at Eastlands in at the beginning of the 2012/13 season for an initial fee of £12 million from Everton. The youngster, who was a lynchpin in David Moyes’ side in his last couple of seasons at Goodirson Park however, has failed to assert himself on the squad upon his move to the English champions.
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Lack of chances at City
Rodwell arrived at Eastlands in at the beginning of the 2012/13 season for an initial fee of £12 million from Everton. The youngster, who was a lynchpin in David Moyes’ side in his last couple of seasons at Goodirson Park however, has failed to assert himself on the squad upon his move to the English champions.
Once touted as the future of England at the centre of midfield, Rodwell’s career has gone sideways upon his move to Manchester City. The Southport born played in only 5 games for the Citizens last season under new boss Manuel Pellegrini.
With the arrivals of Fernandinho and Fernando, Rodwell’s chances at staking a claim at the middle of the park seems to have diminished even further.
Sunderland’s midfield requirement
For the Black Cats, Rodwell’s arrival would help add some real steel to their midfield after they were robbed off their star performer Jack Colback in the off-season. Colback, a youth academy product and a vital cog in the midfield for Gus Poyet last season, scooted off to join their bitter rivals Newcastle United on a free transfer.
Poyet has so far experienced frustration in the transfer market after three early free agent signings in the form Billy Jones, Jordi Gomez and Costel Pantilimon.
The Uruguyan’s efforts at bringing Fabio Borini back to Wearside on a permanent deal have also been met with futility after the player having refused to move to the North-East even after a fee with Liverpool had been agreed.
