Sunderland to beat Fiorentina to Mensah deal
Published 23:00 31/07/10 By Brian McNally
Sunderland expect to wrap up a deal for World Cup star John Mensah this week.
Black Cats boss Steve Bruce believes that he now has an agreement in place with central defender Mensah to move to the Stadium of Light for another season-long loan.
Sunderland officials are now in negotiations with Lyon over the size of a compensation fee.
But Mensah’s agent, Fabien Pivateau, believes the Ghana skipper will be a Sunderland player again before the end of the week.
Sunderland boss Bruce is also hoping that his close friendship with Sir Alex Ferguson will help him to beat Premier League new boys Blackpool in the race to loan 19-year--old Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck this season.
The capture of Titus Bramble and the impending arrival of Mensah looks like spelling the end of the road at Sunderland for Anton Ferdinand.
Fiorentina have been linked with a surprise move for the centre-back.
