If Pulis Doesn’t Want Him He Must Be A Player - Reactions To Latest Stoke Target

It was believed that Middlesbrough and former manager Tony Pulis were in pole position to sign Sunderland midfielder Paddy McNair this window with the Black Cats reportedly agreeing a reported £5million fee with the Riverside Stadium outfit.

That has now all changed however with rumours that Middlesbrough have withdrawn their offer owing to Sunderland apparently continuing to try and invite interest in the 23-year-old. With them having withdrawn from negotiations the Sunderland Echo have since reported that we are now in pole position for the Northern Ireland international.

That claim has been rejected by Sunderland’s Stewart Donald on twitter pointing fingers at McNair’s agent.

The former Manchester United youngster made the switch to the Stadium of Light back in August 2016 for a reported £4.5million fee, but persistent injury issues have limited him to only 28 appearances for the club – but he has contributed seven goals in that time. In 2017/18, despite suffering back to back relegations, McNair played 16 games, scoring five times.

Reaction from the fans has been largely mixed with plenty not knowing enough about him given his lack of game time, others believing there must be something about him having come through Old Trafford’s youth ranks and so on.

He was at Man United so can't be that bad.

— Stoke Loud & Proud (@StokeLoudProud) June 21, 2018

He’s a decent young player, Russ and fits the bill. Right age, big, powerful lad who can finish as well. Good swap for Geoff if he’s off to the south coast.

— Jamo (@ricohjam) June 21, 2018

We need another midfielder especially with GC for the off. Then we can concentrate on wingers and another forward. We won’t be far off then.

— Jamo (@ricohjam) June 21, 2018

And he can pass a football unlike the bloke he'll be replacing.

— bayernoatcake (@bayernoatcake2) June 21, 2018

I’d take pullis signings over Hughes all day tbf

— nigel ashton (@nigelashton5) June 21, 2018

And from Gods Country ????

— Stoketastic (@Ragnar300) June 21, 2018

Quality Daz but made of glass! Keep him fit and he’s Premiership. Played a dozen or so games in a couple of years

— James Easton (@JimSAFC) June 22, 2018