Sunderland swoop for Johnson and Bellamy

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce wants to bring Manchester City and England winger Adam Johnson back to his home town.

Bruce had been keen on signing Johnson while he was still at Boro but was unable to compete with City when they lured him away from the Riverside Stadium.

No place for him at City

However, City boss Roberto Mancini insists Adam Johnson will not be allowed to leave the Etihad Stadium, but plans to hold talks with Shaun Wright-Phillips over his future at the club.

Reports on Saturday suggested Everton manager David Moyes was also looking to sign the 24-year-old on a season-long loan as speculation continues that City boss Roberto Mancini will let the former Middlesbrough winger leave Eastlands this summer.

Moyes has yet to replace South African Steven Pienaar since his departure to Tottenham back in January and reportedly feels that a loan move for Johnson could prove the perfect solution for the coming season.

It would seem that Johnson himself would also be keen on such a move, having fallen behind David Silva in the pecking order at Eastlands. The ex-Middlesbrough winger wants to secure first-team football in order to fight for his place in Fabio Capello’s Euro 2012 England squad.

And while any firm interest from Chelsea would also be of interest to Johnson, it is thought that he would prefer a move to a club where he is guaranteed to be starting games regularly.

Sunderland are also interested in Johnson’s team-mate Bellamy who spent last season on loan to NPower Championship side Cardiff City and it was thought that City would require a fee for the player that previous manager Mark Hughes paid in the region of £14 million for.

However, City could now relent and let Bellamy leave for next to nothing as they look to free up space on their ever burgeoning wage bill. At the beginning of June, City had placed a £4 million valuation on Bellamy.

Bellamy though would likely have to take a pay cut if he is to move back to the North East and join Sunderland.

Tags: Adam Johnson, David Moyes, Everton, manchester city, roberto mancini, Steve Bruce, Sunderland, the Etihad Stadium