Has Keano Lost His Marbles? (£9 mill for a Jock keeper !! )

[Balboa]

Gordon agrees £9m Sunderland move 

Craig Gordon has been training with Sunderland this week
Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has agreed terms with Sunderland and a £9m transfer from Hearts will be completed on Wednesday, BBC Sport understands.
The 24-year-old had been expected to hold talks with Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill before making his choice.

But Gordon has agreed a five-year contract to join Roy Keane's side after undergoing a medical at the club.

It is understood that Sunderland will pay an initial £7m, plus £2m in future payments dependent on appearances.

Gordon had spent two days training with Sunderland after a fee was agreed with Hearts.

The Edinburgh club's captain was expected at Villa Park, but Keane appears to have persuaded him that his future lies at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland had a £5m offer rejected in July, but chairman Niall Quinn had stressed on Tuesday that they were determined to get their man.

It just shows how good the youth policy is when one person moves for £9m

Hearts assistant manager Stephen Frail

"This is Roy Keane's department really, but we are trying hard," he said.

"If it takes a bit longer, so be it. We are not going to lose our nerve now. There are lots of bits and pieces going on behind the scenes.

"My message to our fans is that we haven't jumped in when an agent has rung us with a fashionable player.

"A lot of things have to fall right for someone to come to play at Sunderland."

Sunderland have also made a bid for Tottenham striker Mido after previously failing to sign the likes of Leighton Baines from Wigan and Preston striker David Nugent.

English interest in Gordon had been rekindled after Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov last week indicated he would be willing to sell if the goalkeeper said he wanted to leave.

And Villa boss O'Neill had hinted that he had rekindled his interest after Hearts had reduced their "exorbitant" demands.

O'Neill is keen to sign a goalkeeper with Thomas Sorensen, who has one year left on his deal, set to miss the start of the season with a hamstring injury.

MY SPORT: DEBATE
Hearts must spend some of the Gordon money very wisely

yuri1874

BBC Sport understands that Manchester City boss Sven Goran-Eriksson was also considering entering the bidding - but it now appears that Sunderland have secured Gordon's services.


Steve Banks was in goal for Hearts in Monday's Edinburgh derby defeat by Hibernian as Gordon headed south.

And assistant manager Stephen Frail was sure that the Scotland goalkeeper had played his last game for the Tynecastle club.

"My feeling is that he has," he told BBC Sport. "If a bid has been accepted, it's just about personal terms.

"It's very sad and comes on the back of us losing our goalkeeping coach, Jim Stewart, so it's a difficult time.

"But it just shows how good the youth policy is when one person moves for £9m."

[The Real Laoislad]

Seems an awful lot for a keeper..What was previous record transfer for a keeper?

[Square Ball]

bufoon,

[Longshanks]

I think its a good buy, good solid keepers aren't the best to come by these days and his international record stands up well too.
If he stays for 10 years he will still only be 34 and probably at his peak!!

[inisceithleann]

Seems an awful lot for a keeper..What was previous record transfer for a keeper?

Previous British recored transfer fee was Fabien Barthez, AS Monaco to Man Utd for £7.8M in 2000

Bad news for Co. Down man Trevor Carson at Sunderland. He'll surely be looking for pastures new now. Probably 4th choice now.

[the Deel Rover]

Seems an awful lot for a keeper..What was previous record transfer for a keeper?

Previous British recored transfer fee was Fabien Barthez, AS Monaco to Man Utd for £7.8M in 2000

Bad news for Co. Down man Trevor Carson at Sunderland. He'll surely be looking for pastures new now. Probably 4th choice now.

if he is as good as fabien he will be a good one

[magickingdom]

fergie always put a premium on good goalies at utd so expect the same from keano. awful lot of money tho...

[the Deel Rover]

what was the name of the italian goalkeeper that played 2 matches for untied?

[girt_giggler]

Massimo Taibi or something like that. havent seen enough of Gordon to make a comment but like everyone else says its an awful lot of money.  Record fee for British transfer of a keeper.

Buffon hold the world record, something crazy like £30 odd million 

[inisceithleann]

Massimo Taibi was an unlucky fella. Blamed his studs for Matt Le Tissier's tame effort going through his legs Roy Keane said he liked the guy and thought he was a talented keeper but lost all his confidence after his nightmare debut.

[gawa316]

what was the name of the italian goalkeeper that played 2 matches for untied?

How much did Cech cost chelski?

[inisceithleann]

what was the name of the italian goalkeeper that played 2 matches for untied?

How much did Cech cost chelski?

£7M. Bargain if there ever was one in todays football market.

[thebandit]

If he is going to pay 9 million for Mido that is a bigger waste

[Balboa]

fergie always put a premium on good goalies at utd so expect the same from keano. awful lot of money tho...

He certainly did, Taibi, Bosnich, Van Der Gouw, Barthez.......will i stop now?

[Yer Ma]

I imagine Keano has looked at the signings he's been able to make and decided that it could be a long season. Therefore a top goalie could be required to stave off relegation.

Whether Gordon fits the bill of a top keeper I'm not sure, it's a lot of money, but a crucial position nonetheless.