Sunderland wanted Rovers target Jaiteh

Tijan Jaiteh’s agent has confirmed Sunderland decided against signing the teenage midfielder who is now the target of fellow Premier League side Blackburn Rovers.

Observer Sports has gathered that Sunderland were keen on the Gambian international midfielder, who has impressed hugely for Norwegian side Brann since joining them two seasons back.

However, Sunderland are understood to have withdrawn their interest as he would need to gain a work-permit."Sunderland were very interested in Tijan," Per-Ove Ludvigsen told BT.

"But they did not believe he would get the necessary documentation.
"Tijan was disappointed as he knew the deal was close, but that is something that did not happen." Jaiteh is a Gambian international, but they are currently ranked 90th in the Fifa rankings - and under British work-permit regulations a player can only get into the country if his country is in the top 70.

Blackburn trial

Blackburn Rovers are seemingly undeterred as they hope to take Jaiteh on trial, although his club Brann want clarification from the Premier League side before letting the teenager travel.

"We want Blackburn to clarify what they want with a trial," Brann sports director Roald Bruun-Hansen told Aftenposten. "Is it just to see the qualities of Tijan or do they have concrete plans to buy him? Brann have recently handed Jaiteh a five-year contract so the club insist they are in no hurry to sell him.

"If Tijan is a player they want, then we want to know how much they are willing to pay for him. "There is no need to send him on trial if their bid is not in harmony with what we think he is worth. "If we know this beforehand, a lot of time could be saved."
Jaiteh's agent Ludvigsen is hopeful an agreement will be reached: "I understand that Brann wishes something more concrete."