Di Canio wants more signings; Samba staying put

Sunderland A.F.C. manager Paolo Di Canio expects the club to continue their summer spending spree until the end of the transfer window, which closes on Monday, 2 September, Sky Sports understands.

The Black Cats have already brought in 11 players this summer, but Di Canio is still hoping to add a few players to his squad — namely a left-back, defensive midfielder and a striker — before Monday, and rightfully so.

Sunderland have begun the 2013/14 English Premier League season with just one point from two matches following a 1-0 home defeat to Fulham and a 1-1 draw against Southampton at St Mary’s.

However, it’s not time to panic on the North East, unless of course you are a supporter of Newcastle United.

“I don’t mention names, but it is obvious that someone has to join us in the next few days,” said Di Canio ahead of Sunderland’s Capital One Cup second-round clash against League One side MK Dons.

“We still have six, seven days. I don’t want to lose my energy on this because we have a game tomorrow and a game on Saturday.

“The club is working, we know this, and I am waiting for the time that some players join us.”

Di Canio will lead Sunderland to Selhurst Park to take on newly-promoted Crystal Palace at the weekend, with the Black Cats surely eyeing their first win of the season.

Samba staying put

FC Anzhi Makhachkala defender Christopher Samba has revealed he does not expect to leave the Anzhi-Arena this summer despite the well-documented club’s efforts to cut their weekly-wage bill, according to Sky Sports.

Earlier this month, the Dagestanskiye transfer listed their entire squad in order to abide by UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations.

The Russian Premier League side have already offloaded Aleksandr Kokorin, Igor Denisov, João Carlos, Lassana Diarra, Mbark Boussoufa and Yuri Zhirkov this summer, with Willian expected to join Chelsea in a £30 million deal sometime this week.

In addition, Samuel Eto’o looks to be on his way out of Dagestan, with Arsenal and Chelsea reportedly interested in the former Barcelona and Internazionale talisman.

The club has seen better days, but Samba insists he is going absolutely nowhere.

“I’m not going anywhere,” said Samba.

“The fact is that the club has decided to rejuvenate things and is undergoing a bit of a makeover. But I’m here and I’m doing my job.

“There is no question of my departure. I want to say this again, I’m at home here and I’m not going anywhere.”

Anzhi, who finished third in the Russian Premier League table last season, are currently in 15th (out of 16) place, having drawn two and lost four of their six league fixtures to date.