Adam ’n leave! £10m Johnson to quit Man City for Black Cats

SUNDERLAND are poised to land Adam Johnson in a shock £10million raid.

Martin O’Neill made his out-of-the-blue swoop on Friday after Manchester City rejected his overtures about a loan deal.

City boss Roberto Mancini said: “Adam is a player who deserves to play because he is a good player but I can only play 11 players.”

Now England left-winger Johnson, 25, is expected to join his hometown club within days after initial talks went well.

The former Middlesbrough star has been outspoken about his limited first-team starts at the Etihad.

He earns around £75,000 a week at City and is set to join O’Neill and the Black Cats on a five-year deal.

The £10m initial fee also includes various add-ons, which could ultimately take it as high as £15m.

Johnson only signed a new five-year contract in January and his move back to the north east will come as a blow to Spurs, Liverpool and Everton.

But his departure paves the way for Mancini to bring in Swansea winger Scott Sinclair, who has been lined up for a £5m move to City.