Sunderland have ended their interest in signing Micah Richards, despite intense speculation that Richards would end up at the Stadium of Light.
The Sunderland Echo reports that Sunderland are no longer interested in signing the former Manchester City fullback, despite new manager David Moyes wanting to add to his defensive options.
Richards, who came through the Manchester City academy, joined Villa last summer on a free transfer and was immediately made captain by Tim Sherwood.
However, after a series of poor performances at centre-back and right-back and Villa’s subsequent relegation from the Premier League, it seemed as though Richards would be one of the first to leave Villa Park this summer due to his high wages and £5 million release clause.
For the mean time it seems Richards will remain at Villa Park, unless a club can meet his release clause and offer him wages similar to those he receives at Villa, rumoured to be around £60,000.
