Sunderland win race for Cisse

Published on Wednesday 20 August 2008 22:46

MARSEILLE president Pape Diouf has revealed Djibril Cisse turned down offers from a number of English sides, including Manchester City, before eventually deciding to join Sunderland.

The France striker is set to move to the Black Cats on a season-long loan deal after they reached an "agreement in principle" with the French club over his transfer.

Cisse, who spent two-and-a-half seasons with Liverpool between the summer of 2004 and the end of 2006, had spoken of his desire to return to England this summer but it appeared he had missed the boat when he began the new campaign with Marseille.

But with just a week and a half left in the transfer window, Sunderland have made their move, beating off a clutch of Premier League rivals for Cisse's signature.

Diouf told www.om.net: "We had the chance of replying to the offers of other clubs, like Manchester (City), but he as well as me said 'no'.

"With Sunderland, it isn't an impulsive thing. But as he came to the end of this transfer window, he wanted to leave and showed a massive desire to play."