Manchester City are prepared to sell England international right-back Micah Richards this summer - with Newcastle United and Sunderland heading the list of clubs interested in his signature. The 26-year-old has been on loan in Serie A with Fiorentina this season but has made just 16 appearances in Italy and is believed to want to return to England. However, Manuel Pellegrini has already made it clear that he does not believe Richards has a future at the Etihad Stadium and he would be prepared to let the 13-cap England international leave for a modest fee. A report in the Northern Echo claims that Richards' agent has received contact from representatives at both Newcastle and Sunderland about the player moving to the North East. The North-East rivals are both fighting for their lives in the Premier League relegation zone - with Sunderland 18th and Newcastle 15th with just three games remaining - and so a deal to either would likely be subject to top-flight survival. Richards has made 245 appearances for Man City, scoring nine goals, since he made his debut back in 2005 but injury curtailed his progress. The defender, who rose up through the youth ranks in the North West, has been a bit-part player for Man City in recent seasons but would likely find himself thrust straight into the first team at either St James' Park or the Stadium of Light. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
