Tonka

Lawrence Shankland was to sign for Sunderland everything agreed on the contract side, but we were in the middle of boardroom reshuffles and disputes at the time and Jack Ross could not get the authority to get him signed up. Dundee united made the approach and were told of the deal in waiting at Sunderland and would need to match it and they must have done as he went to Dundee united. The deal at us was £6,000 a week , £170,000 signing on fee and a 3 year deal. I knew the HR manager at Sunderland at that time

Hearing your last season CB Joe Shaughnessy is on trial with Southend United

Nothing to do with Dundee I am afraid! I Stay down in Chirnside , I had a trial a few years ago for Berwick Rangers hence my allegiance to them! I am Sunderland more than anything, the information was from (lets say a representative of Sunderland football club). I thought it might have been of some interest to the united supporters that was all and to let them know that their club was trying very hard and willing to spend big to get him, I was also told that one of the existing United strikers was leaving as well for it is worth?

I was surprised by the amount suggested! more than double the 3K mark and a signing on Fee? I would imagine United have been told "this is what he wants/has been offered elsewhere if you want him it needs to be X and they have matched it

Not for the want off trying though! A massive offer to Shankland I have heard, if true would be one of the best paid players out with the OF.