Dichio: Black Cats up the price

12 October 2001

Striker Danny Dichio has returned to Sunderland to train his way back to full fitness after Albion refused to meet Sunderland's revised asking price. Dichio remained in the Midlands to recover from his broken foot, despite the completion of his loan period, but is unable to train with Albion unless he renews the loan or makes a permanent move.

Megson has made no secret of his desire to sign Dichio permanently, and the lack of firepower in the last two games has probably convinced most fans that it would be a good idea - especially with Roberts still five or six weeks away from recovery - but it now transpires that his price has gone up as a result of the success of the loan and Albion's need to sign him. The Club have refused to pay the new price, maintaining that their offer of £750,000, rising to £1 million on appearances, is a fair one and is what was originally agreed when Dichio first came here on loan - and now say that it's up to Sunderland to make the move if they want to sell. Dichio himself is keen to make the transfer, and has agreed to take a pay cut to join Albion.

However, following the defeat by Millwall last night, Gary Megson said on local radio last night that he felt that Albion should meet the asking price, and sounded very fed up about the deal. The Club's current approach is in line with the strategy they've pursued with all their signings so far - and while being frustrating, it's (almost) always worked in the end. The question is, can we wait for it to happen or are we going to be forced to raise our offer to ease things along?

Interestingly, the message board on Ready To Go, the leading unofficial Sunderland site, is filling up with messages from their fans who are angry about Reid refusing to let him go for what they consider to be a reasonable sum. The concensus is that Dichio had been a dependable, uncomplaining servant of the club.

Previous Stories:

  04 October 2001:  WBA AGM: They don't come much easier!

  28 September 2001:  Dobie for award?

  26 September 2001:  Dichio for a million?

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