Sunderland to swoop for Mensah bargain

SUNDERLAND have agreed a £1million deal to make John Mensah's move to the Stadium of Light permanent.

The Ghana defender has been on loan with the Black Cats for two years after his £8m move to Lyon from Rennes didn't work out.

The French giants had priced Mensah out of a permanent switch to England but their likely omission from next year's Champions League means they will have to trim their wage bill.

Big earners like Mensah are set to be culled and that has given Sunderland boss Steve Bruce the opportunity to sign the 28-year-old in a cut-price deal.

Mensah has been one of a number of players troubled by persistent injury at the Stadium of Light this season but Bruce feels the cheap price justifies a move for the big defender.