Sunderland appear to have lost any hope of signing Borussia Dortmund centre-back Neven Subotic in the summer.
With Jurgen Klopp leading a revolution at Borussia Dortmund, capturing the hearts and minds with a thrilling brand of high-tempo, ‘heavy metal football’, the charismatic coach could rely upon two of world football’s most promising young centre-backs.
However, while Mats Hummels lifted the World Cup trophy in Rio and became Bayern Munich’s defensive lynchpin, Neven Subotic’s career has followed an entirely different path. A never-ending string of injuries means the Serbian international hasn’t played more than 30 games in a league season since winning the first of successive Bundesliga titles in 2010/11.
He’s playing regular football at last these days, though on loan at Cologne rather than at the heart of the Dortmund backline. And, after suffering deep vein thrombosis in his arm, his chances of earning a move to the Premier League with Middlesbrough last summer were scuppered, Gazette Live reports.
Champions League to Championship?
According to The Chronicle, North East neighbours Sunderland were also interested after he announced his intention to cut his ties with the club that signed him from Klopp’s former club Mainz in 2008.
Yet, despite showing signs of progress at Cologne, appearing nine times in the Bundesliga since January, it appears that Sunderland’s hopes of resurrecting a deal are dead in the water – Subotic dreams of the Premier League and The Black Cats are staring relegation in the face.
The one that got away
“For me [the Premier League] is the best league in the world next to the Bundesliga, so it remains an option,” the 28-year-old told Sport Bild. “But I am now old and know that some childhood dreams don’t come, I may not be an astronaut either.”
Having said that, being isolated in outer space may be preferable to playing for David Moyes’ Sunderland right now. Yet, with John O’Shea’s ageing limbs failing him, Lamine Kone expected to leave and Papy Djilobodji simply awful, they are crying out for a defender.
Though it appears relegation will cost them any hope of signing Subotic this summer.
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