Sunderland reportedly wanted to sign Croatia’s World Cup ace Vida on a free in January but times have changed.
Back in the autumn, Turkish outlet Milliyet claimed that Sunderland were hoping to sign Dinamo Kiev defender Domagoj Vida on a free transfer in the January transfer window.
A lot has changed since then, however. Sunderland have gone from the Championship to League One while Vida has become one of the most coveted centre-backs in European football.
The 29-year-old has shone over in Russia, helping Croatia reach the final four of the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Uncompromising and rugged, the pony-tailed Vida has been one of the real surprise stars of this festival of football.
Now, Fanatik is claiming that Vida is valued at £30 million 10 months after Sunderland wanted to sign him for absolutely nothing. The Black Cats missed out in January when Vida swapped Kiev for Besiktas.
And it is understood that he is now a target for some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs. Liverpool have reportedly offered around £16 million while that bid has been matched by Tottenham Hotspur, A Spor claim.
So it is fair to say Vida might have dodged a bullet in not moving to the Stadium of Light back in January. Rather than preparing to play Rochdale and Gillingham in League One, he is now enjoying the best summer of his professional career.
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