MICHAEL Chopra completed a permanent move to Cardiff City yesterday, but he is unlikely to be replaced by Fraizer Campbell as the Manchester United striker will snub Sunderland for Hull City.
And with Hibernian having pocketed £3m from the sale of Steven Fletcher, Black Cats boss Steve Bruce has told the SPL side they will have to pay to sign Anthony Stokes permanently rather than take the Republic of Ireland international on loan.
Chopra’s permanent switch to Ninian Park was finally completed yesterday morning, five months after the striker joined the Bluebirds on loan for the second time in a season.
The terms of the transfer were agreed when Chopra rejoined Cardiff in February, a year-and-a-half after leaving the Welsh club in a £5m move to Sunderland.
The Black Cats have recouped £3m, although up to £2.5m of that figure is due to be paid in a series of instalments.
Chopra, who scored eight goals in 22 Sunderland starts, has become Cardiff’s record signing.
Bruce had hoped to replace him with Campbell, but the England Under-21 striker is expected to join Hull within the next seven days.
The Tigers offered Campbell a £1m-a-year deal three weeks ago, but the fact that it has not been signed had alerted Bruce to the possibility of gazumping the deal.
However, Campbell’s father and agent, Keith, says the delay is down to a wrangle with the striker’s current side Manchester United.
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