True Lies: Steve Bruce Says Sunderland Didn’t Bid for Clyne.

By Robert Sutherland

Crystal Palace have reportedly received a £3m bid from Sunderland AFC for young right-back Nathaniel Clyne, which Palace manager Neil Warnock turned down.

Clyne was one of the highlights of last season.

However, Sunderland’s manager Steve Bruce has since insisted that no such bid was placed, telling the Sunderland Echo:

“No, he’s not a player that we’ve been in for and there’s been no bid.”

However, given Steve Bruce’s record for ‘truth manipulation’, we here at FYP aren’t so sure. This is, after all, the same manager who refused to rule out speculation that he might be joining Birmingham City, back in 2001. “

“I enjoyed my time with Birmingham and I can’t stop the speculation. I am the manager of Crystal Palace, and I’m enjoying that, but I’m not going to say I am ruling myself out or in. It’s only speculation.”

A source close to Palace has confirmed that such a bid was placed and rejected. The source also confirmed that Palace are open to further offers for the player.

Palace will no doubt look to Sheffield United’s sale of Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker when evaluating Clyne’s worth, with a fee of £8m agreed with both Everton and Tottenham Hotspur for the duo.

Whatever the case, should Clyne be sold, it’ll be another frustrating sale for Palace’s fans.