Credit crunch hits Cisse deal, says Quinn

DJIBRIL CISSE’S proposed permanent move to Sunderland could be threatened by the global credit crunch after his price tag rose by up to £3million (€3.4m).

The Black Cats agreed a fee with Marseille for the 27-year-old Frenchman when they negotiated his season-long loan deal during the summer.

They continue to have first refusal on him, but the sterling’s weakness against the euro has made the transfer much more expensive.

Chairman Niall Quinn, who has revealed a permanent transfer could also depend on the club securing its Barclays Premier League status, admitted the deal has suddenly become far more expensive.

He said: “Djibril’s deal was done correctly in that the decision will be made at the end of the season.

“Now, he loves it here and he would love to have his future here — we take that as a very good sign.

“But there are a couple of factors at play here.

“One is that I can’t commit to him until we are safe — that’s economically rather than football-wise.

“If (manager) Ricky (Sbragia) wants him football-wise, I can’t commit to him if we are a Championship club.

“I couldn’t give so much of our revenue to Marseille for a starter if we were a Championship club. It would be bad practice.

“We need to know where we are going before we make a decision.

“The second thing to bear in mind is that sterling has fallen apart since we made the deal, and he’s become about two or £3m dearer since we first agreed the deal.

“So we have to look at that. I’m not saying we won’t do it, I’m saying it has to be looked at.”