Actually, it probably would not be that big of a risk because they would be able to get him for very little since Sunderland is desperate to slash their wage bill. When Reyna is healthy, he is a class player and he is definitely better than Gary Speed.
It's also worth noting that Reyna and Phillips had very little time playing together last season. S'land came out of the summer break in ok form, tieing B'burn away, losing by one goal to Everton, beating L'pool and drawing with ManU as well. The Phillips was out two months or so with a hernia and he was back a game or two at the most before Reyna went down. Not that having Phillips and Reyna together for the season would have saved them - but it sure as heck couldn't hurt! Anway, latest stories I've seen has Boro going for Phillips (with Blackburn denying interest.) I've seen nothing more on Reyna.
That is a good point with the wage bill. ANd I actually do agree that Reyna is a better all around player than Speed when healthy. But I guess the main comparison will have to come though when he (Reyna) gets back on the field and the type of player he is. He wasn't the fastest player in the world to begin with - hopefully his body will react to decisions as fast as his mind.
He has not been mentioned in the press I've seen. Most of it is bemoaning how no one with money is coming for any of S'lands "top guns" - like Flo or Bjorklund. Sorenson will go, but not for as much as they hoped. Phillips to Boro is waiting on Boro selling one of their 4 front men. I think Reyna will stay put until he plays a few real games, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him snatched at the deadline. S'land has got to sell a couple of bigger money players or at least drastically cut their salary or they are at real risk of "adminstration." Apparently ticket sales are not moving along too well either. Sadly, since guys like Flo, Bjork, Craddock and Reyna seem willing to stay, if S'land could pay them all they'd have a very good shot of getting back up (if everyone stays moderately healthy) but Flo gets 30k, Reyna supposedly around 25. Bjork wasn't cheap. Even without Phillips, Flo and Reyna they've got a tough payroll to meet on a Nationwide budget.
Anyone else thing Beckham put a stipulation in his Real deal that Real had to ge rid of Stevie Mac in the process? LOL
Reyna and SMcMan could play in the same midfield, I'd think. In fact, they'd work well together. and what a combo they'd be, neither one having played in a year... Still, I can't see anything happening for Claudio before he's proven he's back from injury, as sunderland at the least would want to get an undamaged goods price on him.