Cats hoping to clinch Davenport deal

Apr 26 2009 by James Hunter, Sunday Sun

SUNDERLAND are weighing up a summer move to make Calum Davenport’s stay on Wearside permanent.

The West Ham centre-back joined the Black Cats on loan in the January transfer window, and has impressed boss Ricky Sbragia.

The Sunday Sun understands that no fee was agreed between the clubs when the loan deal went through, but Sunderland will make enquiries in the summer to find out how much it would cost to bring Davenport north.

Sunderland capitalised on the cash-strapped Hammers’ financial situation last summer when they swooped to bring Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney to the Stadium of Light.

And a realistic offer for Davenport – who made just a handful of appearances for the Hammers this season before his switch to Sunderland – would be likely to tempt the Londoners once again.

The Hammers paid Spurs £3m for the 26-year-old in January 2007, but since then he has made only 14 appearances for the club.