Sunderland-linked striker 'agree terms' with new club as rivals add Premier League defender

The experienced striker has previously played under Phil Parkinson at Bolton Wanderers and has been in prolific form at Sydney FC.

But the 33-year-old – who was linked with both the Black Cats and Portsmouth this summer – looks set to sign for Mumbai City in the Indian Super League.

Reports in India claim that Le Fondre has now agreed a contract worth up to $350,000 per season, which is understood to be a notable rise on the deal he was receiving in the A-League and more than the vast majority of League One clubs could now offer under the new salary cap.

Parkinson’s top target remains Danny Graham, who trained the Sunderland last week. Discussions with the striker are set to resume next week.

“We need at least three players to come to make us strong enough because we’ve got to be realistic that we almost need two XIs to meet the demand of the midweek games ahead of us this season,” Parkinson said.

"Danny is a player we have spoken to, along with a number of other players in that position.

"He was in last week doing some training with us, and it was important for him to do that and work on his fitness - he's in good shape, and he hasn't stopped playing that long because he was at Blackburn when the Championship season continued.

"There's an interest there, as I've said previously, and we are working on that alongside a couple of other things next week."

Meanwhile, promotion rivals Hull City have added Southampton defender Alfie Jones to their ranks ahead of their Carabao Cup tie at the Stadium of Light.

Hull have paid an undisclosed fee for the defender, who could feature against the Black Cats on Saturday.

Jones, who has spent time on loan with St Mirren and Gillingham, has agreed a one-year deal on Humberside with the option of a further twelve months.

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