News has reached us here in the Football Transfer Tavern, courtesy of Chris Young at the Sunderland Echo, that a long serving Premier League striker may be about to bid farewell to English football.
Reports suggest Louis Saha is set to leave Sunderland this month, with an unnamed South African club poised to secure his services. The Frenchman has become frustrated with life at the Stadium of Light having been handed a bit part role by Martin O’Neill since signing a one-year contract with the Black Cats in the summer.
Saha is yet to start a Premier League game this season, and made the bench for the first time in seven weeks for the midweek FA Cup replay defeat to Bolton Wanderers.
Saha has been a Premier League star since 2001, and has played for a host of top clubs, including Newcastle United, Fulham, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.
Sunderland hoped they would be able to squeeze a few more top performances out of him when they signed him in the summer, but Martin O’Neill has admitted they are ready to let the Frenchman go.
O’Neill said: “As of today, we have told Louis he is free to speak to other clubs and to leave if he can fix himself up somewhere.
“We have come to an agreement whereby we will cancel the remainder of his contract, shake hands and go our separate ways.
“That said, we are still a bit short in terms of numbers and Louis may stay with us until the end of the month until such time as – hopefully – we have strengthened the squad a little more.
“But we agreed that he could go as early as today, if he wishes to.
“I have heard that there is some interest in South Africa for Louis and it might be of some interest to him.”
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