Micah Richards has remained a top target for Sunderland, especially with the relegation of Aston Villa to the English Championship.
Sunderland were hoping to lure the player to top flight football, even as they content with changes in management, football philosophy and the squad.
Villa’s release clause for the player is as high as £5 million, forcing Sunderland to rethink the whole deal to land the player this summer. Micah Richards has been linked for a long time to the club and the deal is still not confirmed for this summer going by happenings. In January, Richards was linked with the club but then Aston Villa were not ready to let the former Three Lions and Sky Blues defender leave. Upon the relegation confirmation, the captain was set to finally leave the club but till now the deal has stalled.
Sunderland are keen on getting a defender, preferably a right back but there’s also DeAndre Yedlin aside Richards. The player has improved since his loan deal from Tottenham in the last term. There’s also a season long deal for Youssouf Sabaly from French side Paris Saint Germain.
Latest reports from The Sunderland Echo says that the club would not be continuing with the deal as there are a lot of options out there aside the defender with the £5 million price tag and 28-year old tag.
Also, Sunderland almost signed Inter Milan’s Davide Santon but pulled back at the last minute as they could not agree a favourable transfer fee. Richards won his England caps as a right back under Steve McClaren but has been used a lot in defence in the past campaign. His 11 years in the Premier League would be beneficial but Sunderland have decided to go for any of the other options they have.
