Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes Sunderland are on the verge of paying over-the-odds for Reds attacker Fabio Borini.
Football Express News understands the Black Cats are in advanced negotiations over the £14million acquisition of the Italy international, who spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light.
The 23-year-old was far from prolific for Gus Poyet’s side, plundering nine goals in 40 appearances, but he became a popular figure on Wearside, not least because he had a knack of producing important and sometimes iconic strikes.
He found the back of the net in both Tyne-Wear derbies against bitter rivals Newcastle United, and also gave underdogs Sunderland the lead in the League Cup final against Manchester City, who eventually ran out 3-1 winners.
Ex-England international Owen insists his old club Liverpool will get the better end of the deal if it goes through.
Writing on his Sportlobster blog, he said: “I like Borini but if the 14m transfer fee that is reported to be the case is true, that seems a hefty sum.”
Borini, who featured in last week’s 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat at the hands of Brondby in Denmark, is in line to be the second striker to agree a move away from Merseyside this summer.
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