Sunderland may move for Birmingham defender Scott Dann

Posted Saturday, July 02, 2011 by theguardian.com

Birmingham City's Scott Dann has been a target for Stoke and now Sunderland are interested.

Scott Dann could become the third Birmingham City player to switch to Sunderland this summer, with Steve Bruce considering making a move for the 24-year-old central defender.

The Sunderland manager has already procured Craig Gardner and Sebastian Larsson from St Andrew's in the wake of Birmingham's relegation to the Championship and it is understood that he has now turned his attention to Dann.

Stoke City had hoped to sign Dann in a double deal that would also have taken Cameron Jerome to the Britannia Stadium but negotiations with Birmingham have reached an impasse. Sunderland, who have already made a flurry of close-season signings, have interest only in Dann, although whether they would be willing to meet Birmingham's £10m valuation of the player remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Birmingham and Aston Villa are edging closer to an agreement over compensation for Alex McLeish. Birmingham demanded £5.4m for McLeish when he made the controversial decision to resign from his post at St Andrew's and take over at Villa Park.

That figure always seemed optimistic, and it appears that both parties are moving towards a compromise. McLeish is likely to return to Birmingham to secure the services of Peter Grant, his former assistant, once compensation for his services has been agreed.