Sunderland AFC news: Pantilimon and Graham set to leave, Black Cats Ayew blow, Allardyce reveals target

The giant Romanian stopper is wanted by Watford and Spanish side Espanyol with the Premier League side understood to be favourites to wrap up a deal for Pantilimon.

The ex-Manchester City stoppers future at the Stadium of Light looks increasingly bleak after he has been left out of the matchday squad for the last three games.

With Sunderland looking to offload one of their three keepers before the end of the transfer window, Pantilimon is the firm favourite to depart, with the 28-year-old notably on a heftier salary than Vito Mannone.

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Meanwhile, Sunderland striker Danny Graham is expected to join Championship side Blackburn Rovers on loan.

But Rovers boss Paul Lambert is remaining tight-lipped about a move for the forward, who is out of contract at the Stadium of Light in the summer.

He said: “We’ll try and get one or two guys in to help us.

“We’re trying at this moment and hopefully somebody will be in tomorrow.

“Maybe another one but we’ll have to wait and see.”

The Black Cats, meanwhile, had been dealt a heavy blow, in their ongoing pursuit of Swansea City winger Andre Ayew.

Sunderland have been warned that £10million target Ayew is not for sale - with Swansea City chiefs claiming they “wouldn’t entertain” the idea of selling him.

“There was talk of him going to Sunderland or them making a bid,” outgoing interim manager Alan Curtis said after his second win in seven league games.

“But we wouldn’t even entertain that as far as I am concerned.”

And finally, Sam Allardyce has again called on his Sunderland side to stop throwing games away.

“We’re still losing when we should be picking up draws,” said Allardyce.

“We should have drawn three or four at the very least and that makes life so much easier for the players.”