It's transfer deadline dayIt's transfer deadline day
It's transfer deadline day

Sunderland transfer news: Will Grigg in demand, promotion rivals face race to strengthen

It’s transfer deadline day and a last, mad scramble for League One teams to grab a few deals – and Sunderland’s Will Grigg could be at the forefront.

The Black Cats are unlikely to do much business on incomings today, having completed the signing of Ross Stewart last night from Ross County.

Boss Lee Johnson had been keen to add more variety to his attack, and believes the 24-year-old fits the bill both long and short term.

Johnson said: "He’s at a good age, he’s very fit and quick, and he obviously has good height as well, so he has all attributes to succeed. We are very pleased to welcome him to the club.”

Stewart’s arrival should be the trigger for Sunderland to let Grigg leave. The 29-year-old has been a huge disappointment since his high-profile move two years ago, and there are a host of League One sides interested in taking him, including Oxford United and Shrewsbury Town.

Johnson added: “I’d be more than happy to have Will here but it does then become a case of how many strikers we have.

"Will wants to play every game, he wants to be closer to his family who are in Stafford, and we are probably going to have to accommodate that on this occasion if we get that extra man in."

Shrewsbury could be one of the busiest League One teams today, as they look to add three or four players to their ranks before the window shuts, similar to Oxford.

At the top end of the division, Peterborough United are hoping to hang on to their star striker, while Doncaster Rovers’ business has all but been done – though they are braced just in case they get a bid for one of their main defenders from Preston.

And Portsmouth have received a knockback in their hopes of bolstering their forward line as they continue their promotion push.

It promises to be a busy end to the window, which shuts at 11pm. Here’s a list of some of the big deals that could go through in League One before the deadline.