Sunderland need to make a statement of intent in the transfer market- signing Celtic-owned freebie Efe Ambrose is hardly that.
David Moyes’ best laid plans may already be going awry. The Chronicle claimed in March that the Sunderland manager had travelled to Dundee United to watch Hibernian loanee Efe Ambrose put in a Man of the Match performance.
And with the cash-strapped Black Cats hardly blessed by reliable defenders, the Celtic-owned centre-back appeared an obvious solution – especially with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
However, it appears that Ambrose may not be moving to Wearside any time soon. After getting his career back on track under former Celtic manager Neil Lennon, helping Hibs cruise to promotion back to the top tier, the Nigerian has his heart set on extending his stay at Easter Road.
“When someone gives you the opportunity not once but twice, as [Lennon] has with me, you want to give him a hug to say thank you,” Ambrose told the Scottish Sun.
“He signed me for Celtic then brought me here. If the offer comes my way it will be hard to turn it down.”
“Of course, I’d consider staying with Hibs because the fans showed me love and I enjoy working for the manager.”
Opportunity knocks
However, rather than seeing this as a disappointment, Sunderland should view this latest failed deal as an opportunity. The club’s inevitable relegation from the Premier League has its roots in their cheapskate, quick-fix approach to the transfer market, after all.
Six of their signings this season have been either free agents or loans, including the past-it duo of Steven Pienaar and Jolean Lescott, not to mention the ill-suited Adnan Januzaj.
Therefore, if they are to avoid slipping into second tier obscurity like Nottingham Forest or Leeds United, they must take a more ambitious approach. Following through on their interest in Barnsley’s £5 million-rated centre-back Marc Roberts (below), as reported by The Sun, would be a good place to start.
Because signing Efe Ambrose on a free is hardly a statement of intent.
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