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Sunderland's 1-1 draw at home with Manchester United wasn't exactly a shock result, as the hosts were trending positively toward the end of last season and the visitors are mostly replicating their form from last season. Both now have their eyes on adding to their respective attacking contingents; United will be paying an awfully lot of money in the next few days for Angel Di Maria, while Sunderland are expecting to finally get an answer on their pursuit of Liverpool's Fabio Borini, who they've been hoping to bring over on a permanent deal since his loan spell ended.
Gus Poyet was asked about what's been the summer's longest-running transfer saga in the tunnel post-match:
"I think we're getting close to a final decision either way because it's been a bit too long. It's time now that it's a yes coming or a no (on Borini), as we need to move on"
Talk in the past 24 hours has shifted from a permanent move--and 14m to Liverpool in exchange for the player--to another loan deal, which would mean consecutive seasons in Sunderland without the promise of anything further. That may well suit the young journeyman, but for the clubs involved you'd imagine there's a desire to see a longer-term deal settled. Liverpool would turn a profit, a prospect that seemed impossible at one point, and Sunderland would have a talented, committed young striker around whom they could start to build.
Ultimately, though, Poyet's closing statements are most accurate, and one way or the other, it's time to move on.
