McCarthy moves to swoop for Duff
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy. Photo: Clive Brunskill, Getty Images
Tuesday June 09 2009
MICK McCarthy will ask the Wolves board to sanction a move for Ireland star Damien Duff after the winger was put up for sale along with the entire Newcastle United squad.
Duff is set for the third move of his career as relegated Newcastle are cutting costs by offloading their squad. The playing panel - and the entire club - have been put up for sale by owner Mike Ashley.
Ashley is trying to raise a £40m cash injection but even if that money can be found, Newcastle players will still have to be sold, and that could force United to take a serious loss on Duff, a player who cost them £5m from Chelsea three years ago.
Burnley boss Owen Coyle is a fan of Duff and he could try to persuade the Dubliner to link up with the Clarets ahead of their Premier League campaign, while Duff has also expressed his desire to play on the continent at some stage.
Positive words from Giovanni Trapattoni could alert Serie A sides to the talents of a player who won two Premier League titles with Chelsea.
But Wolves would be favourites to land Duff's signature as the player still has a close relationship with McCarthy from their Ireland days, and McCarthy would be willing to spend money on a player who has Premier League and international experience.
- Aidan Fitzmaurice
