Newcastle United could ruin Sunderland’s best laid plans with a shock swoop for Celtic-owned Hibernian-loanee Efe Ambrose.
As if Sunderland weren’t already facing a difficult task aiming to entice Efe Ambrose to the Stadium of Light this summer. The Chronicle reported in March that manager David Moyes had scouted the Celtic-owned centre-back personally as he aimed to revive his stuttering career on loan at Hibernian in the second tier.
Ambrose told the Scottish Sun recently that he would consider signing a permanent deal with Hibs when his Celtic contract expires in the summer, having helped the Edinburgh club earn promotion back into the top flight.
A frequent and often unmerited scapegoat among Celtic supporters, the Nigerian has found form and confidence again under former Hoops boss Neil Lennon at Easter Road and appears eager to repay his belief.
And, just to make Sunderland’s challenge even more difficult, the Scottish Sun reports that North East rivals Newcastle United are attempting to muscle in with a last-minute attempt to turn Ambrose’ head.
The newspaper claims the high-flying Magpies will attempt a double Celtic swoop with £9 million Croatian defender Jozo Simunovic (below) also on their summer shopping list.
Nine lives gone?
Needless to say, Newcastle is a more enticing destination than Sunderland at the moment. After all, while The Magpies will return to the top tier after one season away, The Black Cats are plummeting in the other direction.
And that old adage about cats always landing on their feet may be tested. After all, cash-strapped Sunderland have neither the budget nor the infrastructure to reinvest in quality players like Newcastle last summer.
Therefore, while there’s a nagging concern that Sunderland may follow in the footsteps of Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, Newcastle are expected to cement their place back in the top flight for good. Owner Mike Ashley has pledged to spend big to ensure Newcastle don’t make the same mistakes.
Ambrose would do well to keep that in mind if he chooses England over Edinburgh.
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