Sunderland’s transfer pursuit of Dimitrios Konstantopoulos has been ended after the 39-year-old’s contract extension with Middlesbrough was announced last night. Chris Coleman has been eyeing up the veteran for quite some time and was trying to bring him in on a free transfer.
A second relegation in a successive season and a steep drop to the lower divisions is not something any fan would like to witness. It looks like the Black Cats are headed towards the doomed path. With a lack of resources to successfully sign proven talents, Coleman has had to work around the very limited resources he has been provided.
Here are a few candidates he can consider for the next summer window.
Adam Bogdan
The Hungarian arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2015 after impressing for Bolton Wanderers where he ironically was replaced as the first choice keeper by Lonergan only.
Bogdan went on to make 120 club appearances for the Trotters and was brought into Liverpool by Brendan Rodgers on a free transfer. However, his career failed to progress beyond the fences of a few Cup games in top-flight English football and maybe a return to the Championship is in his best interests. A motivated professional will never enjoy spending time on the sidelines and it looks like Bogdan has surfaced his patience with the Reds now that they are planning on making further additions to the keeper position.
The 30-year-old will be entering the last year of his contract with Liverpool following this season and Sunderland can provide him with an escape. Still, relatively young and eager body will be one of the best candidates for Coleman.
Andy Lonergan
Lonergan started his professional career playing for his birthplace club, Preston North End and went on to make 228 appearances in eleven years. His talents earned him a move to the Championship with Leeds United.
Current Leeds boss, Paul Heckingbottom is already looking into Felix Wiedwald’s replacement and Lonergan was on Sunderland’s books in the January window as well. Maybe this time the deal will finally fall through.
Costel Pantilimon
The Watford goalkeeper, currently serving a loan spell with Nottingham Forest should be up for sale in the next transfer window and Coleman can capitalize. The towering 6 feet 8 inches figures once boasted great promise in a Manchester City jersey.
