The deals still in play for Sunderland as dramatic deadline day edges towards conclusion
Sunderland look set to be busy until the very final moments of the summer transfer window
With two hours of the transfer window to go, Sunderland's attempts to bolster their squad remains firmly in the balance.
The Black Cats have made one major breakthrough, making Kevin Danso their fourth signing of the summer window. Danso has signed on an initial season-long loan, but Spurs confirmed in their official announcement that there is an obligation-to-buy clause based on performance. It's understood that this clause will automatically be triggered should Sunderland beat the drop, with a fee of around £22 million agreed on top of the loan fee. Danso completes Sunderland's defensive options for the season ahead, and brings significant depth and competition for Régis Le Bris.
Beyond that? Remarkably, it is still far from clear. Sunderland have found themselves at the centre of one of the most extraordinary transfer sagas of modern times, which is still yet to be resolved. The Black Cats had agreed a deal to sign Malick Fofana from Lyon earlier on deadline day, but the transfer was hijacked at a late stage by Crystal Palace. The winger has undergone a medical in Lyon so that either club can conclude the deal once the player has decided, with the latest reports indicating that Sunderland is in the end his preferred destination. Crystal Palace have lined up a move for Midtjylland winger Darío Osorio to underline Sunderland's position as well placed in the final stages of the race, but it is going to be an anxious wait until pen is on paper. At the time of writing the signs are positive for Sunderland, but it is a saga that has already twisted and turned throughout the day.
Sunderland may not be done yet. They have been keen to add another versatile forward to their ranks, and held talks over a deal for Benfica winger Dodi Lukébakio. Though he struggled with injury in his first season in Lisbon, he has a good record in top European divisions over an extended period of time and would offer a different option for Le Bris as a natural left-footer who likes to play from the right. Transfer insider Sacha Tavolieri reports that although the two clubs are in broad agreement of a fee in the region of €19 million for the 28-year-old, head coach Marco Silva is reluctant to sanction his departure and so the deal cannot proceed at this stage. It's fair to say that Sunderland are not yet done in terms of incomings, though. Sky Sports in Germany report that the club have also made a move for Alexis Claude-Maurice from FC Augsburg, though it is not clear whether this is as a back up to Fofana or an addition. Claude-Maurice is a versatile forward who can play off the left or through the middle as the centre forward or the second striker.
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A number of outgoings are also still possible at this stage. Abdoullah Ba has had interest from Sivasspor in Turkey and Alan Browne from Preston North End, but at this stage neither deal has been agreed. That could still change in the final two hours, while confirmation is still expected of Simon Adingra's initial loan move to Ajax. An option-to-buy clause has been included in the agreement, as well as a loan fee of around £3 million.
Jocelin Ta Bi could also be on the move, though that is far from certain after Burnley opted not to proceed with a loan. It's going to be a very busy conclusion to the window and remember that we could run beyond 11pm. If a deal sheet is submitted in time, clubs can get an extra two hours to conclude a deal.