Sunderland are still negotiating the sales of Papy Djilobodji and Didier Ndong.
Djilobodji and Ndong have been up for sale all summer, but Sunderland are refusing to budge on their asking price.
The Black Cats new owner Stewart Donald feels that both of the pair are worth paying for.
However, potential buyers are said to be waiting for Sunderland to fold, as they feel they could be under pressure to sell.
Djilobodji and Ndong are both on significant wages at the Stadium of Light, and carrying them in League One would be inadvisable.
It means that a game of cat and mouse has ensued, with all parties waiting for the other to blink first.
Sunderland could, therefore, be waiting until the final stages of the transfer window to find out whether they can do a deal for Djilobodji and Ndong.
It is a risky strategy, but Sunderland are determined to get the money that they feel they deserve for the want away pair.
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