NUFC fans react as Sunderland make laughable attempt to sign Rafa Benitez reject - Priceless

Just a few years ago, when Sam Allardyce's Sunderland stayed up and Rafa Benitez's Newcastle went down, the Mackems thought they were the Tyne and Wear's top dogs. For a moment they actually were, but how times have changed..

It has emerged that they are now trying their best to bring Ivan Toney - our FIFTH choice striker - to the Stadium of Light ahead of their upcoming campaign in League One.

This comes from the Roker Report, who claim that the 22-year-old is a player they're now 'very interested' in signing on loan this summer.

Here's how NUFC fans have reacted to the news on social media:

https://twitter.com/milesstarforth/status/1017783535049101313

"So if he does go, bangs in 30 goals, they get promoted (hopefully not) Can we say we got them promoted?"

"Allow them to sign him on loan with a recall clause, then just before their first game of the season, recall him."

"Surely SAFC fans don’t want our cast offs? They’ve fallen far but that would be a new low."

"Toney isn’t going to get a chance in our team, or the Championship - he’ll be relatively cheap as well so I can imagine they will pretend he never was on our books!"

"Sell only £5m. No loan. Plenty other club's will be willing to pay that for him - where not a charity. He's been on loan, scored goals so nothing to prove at League One level. If they want someone to fire them out of League One then pay to take him on a permanent deal or stop wasting our time - cheeky Mackems."

https://twitter.com/tfweeklypod/status/1017801046268284928

Whether we actually do them a favour and sanction a move remains to be seen, but it's news that's been met with some amusement (and surprise) on Tyneside - with the Mackems coming crawling across for a favour from Rafa Benitez.