Another target has slipped through Sunderland’s grasp with Richmond Boakye joining Red Star Belgrade instead.
While it’s fair to say Sunderland have hardly enjoyed the happiest of summer holidays, at least they are only gearing up for a season in the Championship rather than the regional amateur leagues.
Because that is the fate that has befallen Italian minnows Latina. Finishing second in Serie B last season, the Rome-based club were declared bankrupt after the conclusion of the 2016/17 season.
Failing to find a buyer, and with debts of around 6 million euros, Latina will now be forced to begin life as a new incarnation in the amateur leagues of Italian football.
Even former Sunderland manager David Moyes didn’t have to cope with this level of drama
As a result, all their players will be available on frees this summer, as reported by The Guardian. And while this is undeniably horrific for the club and their fans, Sunderland could have taken some pleasure from another’s pain.
GhanaSoccerNet reported late last season that The Black Cats had sent scouts to watch Ghanaian striker Richmond Boakye in action for Red Star Belgrade, the Serbian side he joined on loan from Latina midway through the campaign.
And with Sunderland desperately in need of a goalscorer with Jermain Defoe and Victor Anichebe out of contract, and Fabio Borini poised to join AC Milan, Boakye’s tally of 12 goals in 16 league games for Red Star will have caught the eye.
However, it appears that they have missed the boat. Because GhanaSoccerNet has now reported that Boakye has signed a permanent deal to stay with the Serbian giants after Latina crumbled.
Journeyman striker Boakye could have been a good addition for Sunderland
Therefore, it appears that Sunderland, rendered static in the market by an ongoing managerial search and the owner Ellis Short’s attempts to sell up, have taken their eye off the ball once again as another target goes elsewhere.
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