Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce is set to activate the clause of Aston Villa defender Micah Richards according to reports.
The Telegraph report that Allardyce is preparing to launch a £5 million bid for the former Manchester City defender, which would see the Black Cats meet his activation fee.
Richards only joined the Midlands outfit last summer from Manchester City, but with numerous run ins with fans in a doomed campaign and a sizeable wage it looks likely he is destine for the exit door and the Stadium of Light.
During his time at the Villans he appeared on 28 occasions in a defence that conceded 76 times over the course of the season. He featured in some of Villa’s heaviest defeats of the season including a 6-0 drubbing vs Liverpool and three 4-0 losses against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City respectively.
The Sunderland faithful seem to have contrasting views to Aston Villa fans about a move.
Twitter: Imagine bringing in Micah Richards I might as well put me boots on and play right back (@J95roper)
Twitter: Micah Richards to Sunderland? Please! I like Sunderland – good fans. If this happens, I feel for them. But I’ll also celebrate wildly. #AVFC (@chrisxblast)
Twitter: Praying for Micah Richards to go to Sunderland. #PleaseGod (@molotov_bomb)
