Czech defender on manager’s radar.
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Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio is set to continue his summer spree of unknown signings by landing Trabzonspor’s Czech international Ondrej Celustka, Sky Sports reports.
The Black Cats had been thought to be close to signing Velez Sarsfield full back Gino Peruzzi, but a failed medical meant that the deal was put on ice, forcing the Italian to look elsewhere for reinforcements.
Sources believe that Celustka is just days away from signing an agreement to spend the season on loan at the Stadium of Light after two years in Turkey with Trabzon, whom he joined from Czech giants Slavia Prague.
The 24-year-old has previously spent time with Palermo is Serie A back in 2010, but he failed to establish himself in Sicily and a permanent deal could not be agreed.
Suited to playing at either right back or in the centre of defence, he had also been a target for Premier League new boys Crystal Palace, though no concrete offer is believed to have been made.
He has, however, made claims that he knocked back an offer from fellow Turkish side Antalyaspor in order to try his hand at Premier League football.
“Antalyaspor wanted me, but my goal is to play in England,” he’d been quoted as saying.