Norwich City midfielder Graham Dorrans was always destined to move to Rangers, which makes Sunderland’s late attempt somewhat bizarre.
Sunderland should not be questioned for making a move for Graham Dorrans this summer. The 30-year-old midfielder is a proven player in the Championship after all, winning promotions with West Bromwich Albion in 2010 and Norwich City in 2015.
Dorrans also netted an impressive six goals from midfield for The Canaries last season despite missing three months of the campaign with injury.
Yet, it is the nature of their approach that rather sums up the haphazard approach to recruitment in evidence at the Stadium of Light for far too long. According to the Daily Mail, Dorrans has been in negotiations with boyhood club Rangers since the end of the previous campaign.
Graham Dorrans was never moving to Sunderland
The Gers have had a number of bids rejected for their top summer target but the Daily Record reports that they have now met Norwich’s £1.5 million asking price. Dorrans is understood to be eager to make the move to Ibrox and return to his homeland ten years after swapping Livingston for West Brom.
Therefore, it appears that Sunderland have rather wasted their time by attempting a dramatic 11th hour swoop. Rangers have been on the verge of agreeing a deal for some time and they have arguably picked the worst possible moment to make a move.
If they had approached Norwich earlier, with Rangers nit-picking over the price tag, they may have at least made an impact in the deal.
Furthermore, it is well established that Dorrans wanted to fulfil his childhood dream by signing for Rangers. He was unlikely to give that up to join a Sunderland side with barely a squad in place ahead of pre-season.
New Black Cats boss Simon Grayson will know he has a challenge on his hands in the transfer market. And the club’s late move for Dorrans does not help.
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