Luke Garbutt’s move to Sunderland is in doubt due to the finances involved in the deal, according to the Chronicle.
After reinforcing at centre-half and centre-forward, Phil Parkinson is now turning his attention to bringing in some much-needed competition on the left-hand side.
Academy graduate Denver Hume is highly regarded at the Stadium of Light but, ahead of what is set to be another, gruelling 46-game season, it almost goes without saying that Sunderland need more than just one, natural left-back.
Garbutt, then, would be a superb bit of business.
The former Everton defender is now a free-agent and, during an impressive loan spell at Ipswich Town, he emerged as a standout performer at League One level with six goals and three assists under Paul Lambert.
But, thanks to an EFL-imposed salary cap which restricts clubs to spending just £2.5 million on wages, Garbutt’s move to Wearside has hit the buffers.
“We tried to get a couple of players in before Friday but those deals didn’t get over the line, but it was really the agents’ and the players’ decision,” Parkinson told the SAFC Unfiltered podcast.
“When you are going for players who maybe have Championship interest as well, it can be difficult because you are competing with those clubs.”
The Chronicle believes that Garbutt and former Burton forward Scott Fraser are the two players in question.
And it remains to be seen whether the chance to become a modern-day hero at one of Britain’s best supported clubs can convince Garbutt to accept lower wages at Sunderland than he would get at, for example, a Championship club.
“I think he has an incredible left foot and he puts incredible balls into the box and his delivery is fantastic,” Lambert told EADT of a man who, while a defender by trade, would also give Sunderland some extra quality in the attacking third.
“Technically he’s a gifted footballer and his set plays are excellent.”
Sunderland have taken another left-back, ex-Manchester United youngster Demetri Mitchell, on trial.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
