Villa agree fee for Sorensen

Sunderland tonight confirmed they have agreed a £2.25m (€3.2m) fee with Aston Villa for goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.

The Black Cats gave the 27-year-old Dane’s agent Paul Stretford permission to open talks with the midlands club last week within hours of Gavin McCann completing his move to Villa Park for a similar fee.

However, it appears there is still ground to be covered before the transfer can be completed with Villa claiming the switch is being held up by a cash wrangle.

“Thomas Sorensen’s transfer to Aston Villa is an ongoing process, although we have reached an agreement over a £2.25m (€3.2m) fee,” said a Sunderland spokesman.

“Certain aspects of the transfer are quite complex and for this reason, we are still in discussions.”

The confirmation came after Villa released a statement suggesting the delay revolves around payments Sorensen, who has a year remaining on his contract at the Stadium of Light, believes he is due.

“The club can confirm that it has had discussions with Thomas Sorensen’s agent about him moving to Aston Villa,” the statement, released through the club’s official website, www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk, said.

“However, a deal cannot be concluded as the keeper is still in discussions with Sunderland about monies due to him from that club.”

Sunderland will hope the remaining issues can be thrashed out sooner rather than later as the exodus of big earners gathers pace.

Full-back Bernt Haas’ move to West Brom set the ball rolling with McCann’s transfer further slashing a wage bill thought to amount to around £25m (€35m) a year.

With defender Jody Craddock due to speak to promoted Wolves today over a proposed move, the cash-strapped Wearsiders are finally starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.

However, Sorensen and striker Kevin Phillips remain the prized assets, and although both players’ value has fallen, a significant return as well as removing their wage bill, would be more than welcome.

The Dane, who arrived from Odense in August 1998, and Phillips both said their farewells to the fans at the Stadium of Light after the final day 4-0 defeat by Arsenal on May 11, and later confirmed they would be leaving the club.

Sorensen had been linked with both Manchester United and Arsenal after making a major impact in the Premiership.

However, the dreadful run of form which propelled the club into Division One became increasingly difficult to bear for a man who at times stood almost alone against the tide.

He missed 16 games through injury last season after dislocating his elbow in a 3-1 defeat at Arsenal on October 6, Peter Reid’s last game in charge.

And by the time he returned for the draw with Blackburn on January 11, Sunderland looked destined for relegation.

Mart Poom was handed Sorensen’s number one shirt last week as manager Mick McCarthy started to plan for the future.

Jeff Whitley and Colin Healy remain firmly in his sights, and if Craddock’s move goes through, Ireland international Gary Breen could be the man to take over.