Sunderland boss Steve Bruce targeting value for money loan signings this summer

EPL,Steve Bruce,Manchester United vs Sunderland(Getty Images)

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Steve Bruce‘s loanees made a significant contribution in his sides push towards a top half finish last season and the Sunderland boss has admitted that he will look to the temporary market for signings this summer.

Danny Welbeck, Nedum Onuoha, John Mensah, Sulley Muntari and Ahmed Elmohamady were all regular performers for Bruce last year, and the former Manchester United centre-half wants to bring in players of a similar quality for next season.

Bruce told The Shields Gazette: “I always go into the loan market – certainly with British players – looking for a player who has something to prove.

“Nedum and Danny last season, the one thing about them was that they were desperate to play regularly.”

Bruce is said to be close to signing Ji Dong-won and Craig Gardner for £2 million and £5m respectively, but is aware of the financial benefit of bringing in players on a short-term basis.

He continued: “It also helps you financially too – imagine trying to buy the likes of Danny, Nedum or Sulley Muntari on the open market.

“The downside is the fact that you rarely have them for longer than a season, but where else can you find an £8m defender or £10m striker for your squad for nothing?

“It’s an area of recruitment that has become more important in recent seasons, and certainly this summer we will be looking at the loan market to see where we can get value for money.”