Former Norwich City ‘keeper John Ruddy is likely to join Wolverhampton Wanderers despite holding talks with Sunderland.
With around a month to go before the start of a new Championship season, Sunderland are still yet to replace influential goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Jordan Pickford’s exit leaves a gaping hole in Sunderland’s squad
And that leaves Black Cats boss Simon Grayson with only the exit-linked Vito Mannone and Portuguese ‘keeper Mika, who did not make a single appearance last season, to pick from.
Therefore, reports in the Express and Star that Wolves are closing in on the signing of John Ruddy surely will not have been well received at the Stadium of Light.
The report adds that the Black Cats had been in talks with the one-time England international, who was released by Norwich City at the end of last season, but he instead preferred to move to Molinuex.
Ruddy hell
For a cash-strapped side desperately in need of Championship experience, the prospect of signing a free-agent with two promotions on his CV unsurprisingly appealed. And the fact that he instead will put pen to paper with a direct rival only increases the feeling that Sunderland have missed out on a potentially excellent addition.
Norwich’s John Ruddy
The fact that Aston Villa also seem close to signing Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone on another loan deal, as reported by the Daily Mail, will only intensify the frustration on Wearside.
Therefore, this leaves Grayson with a huge task on his hands attempting to find a goalkeeper who is both affordable and capable of laying the foundations for a promotion push.
And the fact that Ruddy has turned down a move to the Stadium of Light highlights the difficulties Grayson could face in the transfer market.
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