Former Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone is at the Academy of Light ahead of a shock deadline day return to the club, according to talkSPORT journalist Phil Spencer.
The Lowdown: Mannone’s nomadic career
Having left Ligue 1 outfit Monaco this summer after a two-year stint at the club, the 34-year-old is now a free agent going into deadline day.
The Italian made 67 Premier League appearances for the Black Cats during a four-year spell at the Stadium of Light between 2013 and 2017, after appearing eight times for Arsenal in the Champions League.
Sunderland remain the club where the shot-stopper earned his largest number of appearances, having played for the Wearsiders on 80 occasions in total.
The Latest: Spencer’s news
With the Black Cats looking to bring in another goalkeeper to add to their squad depth, Spencer has now revealed Mannone is closing in on a return to northeast.
Taking to Twitter, the talkSPORT journalist claimed:
“It’s been suggested to me that Vito Mannone is at the Sunderland training ground with a view to completing a return to the club.”
The Verdict: Great experience
Having made 70 clean sheets in 268 appearances throughout his career, Mannone has a wealth of experience at his fingertips.
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With Sunderland’s only two keepers being aged 24 and under, the 34-year-old’s arrival on Wearside will provide much needed know-how to Tony Mowbray’s squad.
Anthony Patterson, who is the Black Cats’ current no.1, will learn a lot from the Italian, and his return to the club seems to be a clever bit of business by the Wearsiders.