Cisse's Sunderland move in danger-English Premier League football News

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 27 February 2009 )

English Premier League football News

Cisse's Sunderland move in danger
Djibril Cisse's proposed move to Sunderland could be wrecked by the global credit crisis after his price tag increased by up to £3m.

The 27-year-old is on a season-long loan at the Stadium of Light from Marseille, with a view to a permanent transfer in the summer.

But the transfer is in doubt because of sterling's weakness against the Euro.

The Black Cats are reluctant to commit to a deal for the French striker until they are safe from the drop.

"Djibril's deal was done correctly in that the decision will be made at the end of the season," Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn told the Sunderland Echo. "I'm not saying we won't do it, I'm saying it has to be looked at."

However, goalkeeper Marton Fulop has signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal which will keep him at the Stadium of Light until the summer of 2012.

The Hungary international has started 20 of Sunderland's previous 22 matches and is currently keeping out record £9m signing Craig Gordon.

"Marton has been excellent and this is reward for him," said Black Cats boss Ricky Sbragia.

"You need two top-class keepers and we think we have got that. They will push each other to higher levels."

Sunderland are 11th in the Premier League table, eight points clear of the relegation zone.

But chairman Quinn will not address Cisse's deal until the end of the season.

"I can't commit to him until we are safe - that's economically rather than football-wise," he said.

"I couldn't give so much of our revenue to Marseille for a starter if we were a Championship club. It would be bad practice. We need to know where we are going before we make a decision.

"In the current financial climate sterling is weak against the Euro which has resulted in the transfer, upon which Sunderland have first refusal, significantly more expensive.

"The thing to bear in mind is that sterling has fallen apart since we made the deal, and he's become about £2m to £3m dearer since we first agreed the deal."

Cisse is Sunderland's leading scorer this season with 10 goals and Quinn admitted the move is still one that appeals to the club.

"He loves it here and he would love to have his future here - we take that as a very good sign," he said.

"If Ricky wants him and we feel good about the deal, then I'm sure we will find a way to do it."
by bbcnews.