McAuley is targeted by a future Championship side

By Nathan Jackson
March 3 2006

Gareth McAuley is being once again linked with a bosman transfer move to Premiership relegation favourites, Sunderland. The Mackams were keen to sign McAuley before his joined the Imps at the beginning of the 2004/5 season and has become an integral part of the Imps defence.

Sunderland's scouts were at the Northern Ireland midweek match in which Gareth McAuley made his first start for his country. Sunderland have tracked McAuley over the last 2 seasons and now that it appears likely that McAuley will leave on a bosman in the summer, Sunderland are reportedly very keen to strengthen a squad that they hope will win them promotion back to the Premiership. They aren't relegated yet but it's only a matter of time and several members of their current squad used to play in our division.

McAuley critisised the Imps earlier in the season and said that the only way he would sign for another season, would be if the Imps signed big name players in the January transfer window. City only signed Simon Yeo, Jude Stirling and Martin Gritton during January and McAuley appears to be carrying out his threat as he has yet to sign the contract offered to him in November.