Sunderland wanted Johnson

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has admitted he tried to sign Adam Johnson from Middlesbrough in the January transfer window.

Johnson instead joined Manchester City, who made a late move for the 22-year-old.

“I’m happy with the business we’ve done, but, yes, I’d have loved to have brought Adam in as well,” said Bruce.

“We had him watched two, three, four times and more and he was a player we really liked the look of.

“He was a local lad as well and I’m sure our fans would have taken him to their hearts but it wasn’t to be.

“The lad made a decision that he had every right to and we move on.”

[Source: The Mirror]