Sunderland have agreed a fee to sign Australian defender Nectarios Triantis but will have to increase their £3 million bid to bring in midfielder Jobe Bellingham from Championship rivals Birmingham City.
It is still just a fortnight since Tony Mowbray’s Sunderland suffered play-off semi-final heartbreak at Luton Town.
But the Black Cats are clearly not allowing such disappointment to hold them back; sinking their teeth into the transfer market while acting quickly and decisively in search of signings capable of improving Mowbray’s roster.
Sunderland closing in on new signings
Jobe Bellingham, younger brother of Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude, should fit in nicely alongside Sunderland’s crop of fresh-faced up-and-comers.
Fabrizio Romano reported a couple of days ago that Sunderland had agreed a £3 million fee for Bellingham. The Daily Mail, however, see things differently. They say that Sunderland have offered just £1 million; Birmingham demanding that they increase that bid as they look to secure the services of a 17-year-old who was called up by England’s U18s on Monday.
There remains a confidence that a deal can be agreed; Bellingham likely to join Nectarios Triantis on Wearside sooner rather than later.
BeIN Sports report that a £430,000 bid has been accepted for the Central Coast Mariners defender. The 20-year-old centre-half also has admirers at Crystal Palace, but may feel that first-team football is more likely at Sunderland side who finished in the top six last term despite boasting the youngest average XI anywhere in the Championship.
“Nectar Triantis, outstanding,” Mariners boss Nick Montgomery said; hailing a ball-playing centre-half who’s outstanding passing range should come in very handy under Mowbray.
“Captain of the (Australia) U20s. He just looked like he cruised through the game against some big players. A top player.”
Sunderland are also closing in on Benfica striker Luis Semedo. Thom Haye could also arrive from Heereveen.
Anthony Patterson, meanwhile, is set to sign a new deal at the Stadium of Light, while the agent of £15 million-rated Jack Clarke has played down reports linking the winger with a return to the Premier League.
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