Top five players linked with Sunderland this week: Babacar, Simpson and more

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Sunderland need to strengthen up front and in defence before the new campaign kicks off.

Sunderland fans may be more worried about the fate of their manager than their current playing squad right now, but they continue to be linked with a number of new faces.

Here we take a look at the top five players to be linked with Sunderland this week:

Youssouf Sabaly (Daily Mail)

Sunderland are in desperate need of a new right-back and the most likely option at this stage appears to be a loan move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Youssouf Sabaly.

The deal would reportedly include the option of a permanent signing next summer for around £5million.

Mathieu Debuchy (Daily Mail)

As an alternative, the Black Cats are said to be looking at Arsenal’s French international Mathieu Debuchy.

With Hector Bellerin the undisputed first choice right-back at the Emirates Stadium Debuchy will surely move on, but he is only seen as a back-up choice if Sunderland fail in a move for Sabaly at this stage.

Danny Simpson (Shields Gazette)

Speaking of right-backs, Leicester City’s Danny Simpson is also said to be attracting interest from Sunderland with a fee of £4million being touted.

Whether he would leave the Premier League champions remains to be seen. However he would certainly improve the Black Cats’ back-line.

Diafra Sakho (Daily Star)

This one has been doing the rounds for a while but there is now an alleged twist, with West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho waiting to see what Sam Allardyce’s future holds before making a decision regarding his own.

The Senegal international would be a superb addition at the Stadium of Light yet if Allardyce takes the England job he may look elsewhere.

Khouma Babacar (TMW)

With Sunderland in need of additional fire-power they were recently linked with Fiorentina forward Khouma Babacar.

The Premier League club are said to have made contact with the player’s agent sound out a possible deal for a player who is rated at £8.5million by his current employers.