Sunderland need defensive reinforcements but Hibs’ Celtic-owned loanee Efe Ambrose may be beyond their reach.
While Sunderland will no doubt aim to make a head-start on their summer transfer plans after relegation was finally confirmed with Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, this may be easier said than done.
The Chronicle reported in March that Black Cats boss David Moyes embarked on a personal scouting mission to watch Efe Ambrose put in a Man of the Match performance for Hibernian against Dundee United.
And the Scot will surely have been impressed by Ambrose’s composure in possession and impressive positional sense. After all, you could not exactly say the same for the mistake-a-minute defenders currently at Sunderland’s disposal.
Yet, the Nigerian, who joined Hibs on loan in January after falling out of favour at parent club Celtic, is far from certain to make the move to Wearside.
At least not if Hibs boss Neil Lennon has anything to do with it.
“Efe’s not our player, but if we get an opportunity to sit down with him next week and see what his plans are, then it’s something we will pursue,” Lennon, who brought Ambrose to Celtic in 2012, told the Scottish Sun.
“Efe’s showing what he’s capable of, the quality of player he is. He’s playing big games again and I think he’s enjoyed being around the club.
“He’s a class player.”
Ominously for Sunderland, work permit issues prevented Ambrose moving to Championship strugglers Blackburn Rovers in January.
Though with the Black Cats clearly in need of new defenders and with the club’s debt restricting them in the transfer market, you can see why the prospect of signing the 28-year-old would appeal; especially with his contract expiring in the summer.
However, with Ambrose proving a huge hit with Hibs fans after years of criticism from a number of Celtic supporters, it would be no surprise if he was to stay at Easter Road.
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