Palermo look to beat Black Cats in Guidetti race
Friday, December 14, 2012 at 6:00 PM | by Jack Johnson 
Sunderland face competition from Italian side Palermo for Manchester City’s John Guidetti.
The 20-year-old scored 20 goals on loan at Feyenoord last season in just 23 games and has since attracted interest from several sides including Sunderland who are keen to sign the young swede on loan in January to give Steve Fletcher some much needed assistance.
Unfortunately for the Black Cats the Sun are reporting that Palermo chief executive Pietro Lo Monaco has already held talks with City about the possibility of a deal and it looks as if the Italians are now favourites to take Guidetti on loan for the remainder of the season.
Martin O’Neil would do well to step up his interest in the young striker as he would certainly be a better option to have in reserve than Connor Wickham, who has struggled to impress during his time in the North-East.
Guidetti would also bring much more spirit and drive to O’Neil’s side than the current first choice off the bench, Louis Saha. The Frenchman has looked disinterested and short of fitness since his move from Spurs and has no goals in his eleven appearences for Sunderland. At 34 the once speedy Saha’s best days are well and truly behind him and he looks like he is simply picking up his last big pay packet. A hungry Guidetti, who will be eager to impress in the Premier League in order to catch Roberto Mancini’s eye, could be just the boost O’Neil’s relegation threatened side need.
Jack Johnson
