JjUST IN: Former Sunderland GEM turn down Arsenal call to SIGN permanent deal to join rivals Club as Player reveal want to visit Stadium of Light once again.
The transfer window may have closed on Friday, but transfer rumors and updates are still buzzing as the dust settles from a hectic few months. For Sunderland, a busy deadline day capped off what was largely a positive summer. While there’s still a chance that a few players could leave due to foreign transfer windows that remain open, the Black Cats likely feel that the majority of their business is complete.
However, several Sunderland-related transfer stories are still circulating, and we’ve gathered a few that you might have missed in the past couple of days.
Former Sunderland midfielder Max Power has announced that he has joined a new club. After leaving Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah earlier this summer, Power had been searching for his next opportunity. Reflecting on his departure from the Middle East on social media, Power wrote: “I want to wish everyone at Al Qadsiah the very best. My family and I have loved our time here in Khobar. We will always support the club, and I’m proud to have helped return the team to the Roshin League.”
According to a recent report from Bold, Power was expected to start training with Danish club Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF) last week. It appears that his trial went well, as he has now secured a permanent move. Sharing the news on social media, Power posted a picture of himself in AGF’s colors with the caption: “My new home. Can’t wait to represent this city. Let’s go AGF.”
Power has reportedly signed a one-year contract with AGF. The club’s sporting director, Stig Inge Bjørnebye, commented: “Max has performed well during his time training with us. He’s impressed with his strong physicality and great enthusiasm. He’s a committed player who works hard and takes his football seriously, and those are qualities we highly value at AGF.”
Tickle Turns Down Arsenal
In other news, former Sunderland target Sam Tickle reportedly turned down an offer from Premier League giants Arsenal during the summer transfer window. Sunderland had been linked to the Wigan Athletic goalkeeper earlier this year, with Alan Nixon suggesting that the England youth international was seen as a potential replacement for Anthony Patterson if the academy graduate left the Stadium of Light.
However, Patterson has remained at Sunderland, and Tickle has signed a new four-year deal with Wigan. Despite this, interest in the 22-year-old persists, with Nixon reporting that Arsenal attempted to bring him to North London. According to Nixon, “Tickle was approached about joining the Gunners as a third-choice keeper with the possibility of becoming a Premier League squad player. However, Tickle wasn’t interested in being in the background and chose to continue his career in League One instead.”