Sunderland are said to be ‘on track’ for a huge deadline day ahead of the 11pm deadline.
The Black Cats had been fairly slow with their business this summer, bringing in five new players.
The club had made it very clear that they were targeting one or two strikers to bolster their attack, while they have also been linked with midfielders and a defender on deadline day.
Sunderland have been tipped for one of their ‘busiest ever’ deadline days after they raked in £15 million from Jack Clarke’s sale.
Phil Smith issues update on eight transfers
They are yet to confirm any additions today, but journalist Phil Smith has claimed that there is still plenty to happen over the next four and a half hours.
Writing on X, Smith said: “Little update as I understand it: Mepham, Samed and Aleksic on track. Ekwah and Hemir close to St Etienne and Juve Next Gen moves (loans with option). Striker search ongoing, Abdullahi very much a target. Triantis likely to go out on loan – maybe others too.”
He then added: “Pembele to Le Havre on loan as well”.
Where Sunderland stand ahead of 11pm deadline
Chris Mepham, Salis Abdul Samed and Milan Aleksic seem the closest to joining the club, with the three arguably the most unexpected given where Sunderland had previously looked to improve on.
However, Aji Alese’s injury and Pierre Ekwah’s impending departure makes all three of them look like brilliant signings.
The Black Cats were always expecting a number of loan exits, though Luis Hemir’s move to Juventus comes as a big surprise given how disappointing he was last season.
The striker search will be the one that fans are paying the most attention to, and while Ahmed Abdullahi may be good for the future, supporters are desperate to see a proven goalscorer join him on Wearside.
It is believed that Sunderland are in with a ‘pretty good’ chance of signing Gift Orban, and a loan deal for the Nigerian would arguably make their transfer window one of the best in a very long time.
It is a huge shock for fans given how worried everyone was at the start of the summer, but their chances of winning promotion just seem to be getting better and better by the hour.