Hes Gus Poyets top target and Sunderland's on-going summer transfer saga. At an estimated £14m, the fee apparently agreed with Liverpool for him has been balked at by many fans, though that is perhaps until recent weeks when the actual state of the transfer bubble has finally become apparent to most supporters. No one moves on the cheap these days - certainly no one with a level of proven Premier League experience as Fabio Borini demonstrated in the second part of last season to such devastating effect for Sunderlands opponents. And then once his season-long loan came to an end with the club's Premier League status miraculously intact, due in part to Borinis outstanding contribution, the will he, wont he questions began. From his performance in the cup final against Manchester City and beyond it has been well established that he has a fondness for the North-East and the Sunderland supporters, who love him in equal measure. But that doesnt necessarily make a match made in heaven, not if the Italians suggested ambitions after such a sterling Premiership campaign last year is anything to go by. With only days to the end of the transfer window it is make your mind up time for the Liverpool prospect. If indeed a deal were to be done now, another loan could work well, as long as the option of an agreed fee were included. After all Sunderland too often have made that mistake in recent seasons. But what if Poyet doesnt get his man? He's already brought in Buckley, but that;s not to say business is complete, as Sunderland still need attacking reinforcements. So with that potential disappointment looming, here are the possible alternatives across a wide spectrum; all could potentially be available, at the right price and all could do a job for Sunderland.
