Gus Poyet has hinted that Sunderland could renew their interest in signing Fabio Borini when the transfer window reopens next month.
The Italian enjoyed a fine spell at the Stadium of Light last season, when he scored seven goals in 32 Premier League appearances during a loan stay. Poyet was keen to take Borini on a permanent basis ahead of the current campaign, but despite having an offer of around £14million accepted, the striker snubbed the move in favour of fighting for his future at Liverpool.
However, the 24-year-old has struggled to force his way into Brendan Rodgers’ plans, despite the fact that the Reds have struggled for goals this term following the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona and the long-term injury to Daniel Sturridge. So far, he has made just one start in the league with a further outings from the bench, and three appearances in the cup competitions.
Indeed, Borini didn’t even make the first-team squad when the Black Cats visited Anfield on Saturday afternoon. And speaking after the goalless draw, which does little for either side in all honesty, Poyet admits he remains confused as to why the player snubbed a move to Wearside in the summer, but has revealed that he would be happy to resurrect a deal if at all possible.
“I would love to,” Poyet said when asked if he would still sign Borini. “It (the collapse of the transfer in the summer) is a difficult one to explain. It was a long summer and the things everyone knows, we agreed a price and we flew to America (for Liverpool’s pre-season tour) and he didn’t come. The bottom line is he is not with us. I am trying to concentrate on what we have got.”
None of the matches on Sunday will directly affect Sunderland, so they will end the weekend in 15th position and just two points above the relegation zone. One bright point for Poyet is that he appears to have built a solid back four; take away the freak result at Southampton in which they conceded eight times, only four sides have a better defensive record. The Uruguayan knows, though, that his problems lie at the other end where only Aston Villa and Burnley have scored fewer goals.
“We need to improve on the other side, we need to score goals and be more clinical,” he told Sky Sports. “We need to find a way to create more chances and take a few of them. The most important thing in the Barclays Premier League is to win football games and at this moment we cannot win too many. Obviously the most difficult one is the most expensive one, which is to put the ball in the net. We need to find a way that maybe four or five players can score double figures this year.”
Could Borini be the answer to Sunderland’s problems in front of goal? Let us know what you think by joining in with the discussion below.
