Dembele delay on deal

MOUSA DEMBELE will not sign a new deal at Tottenham, and is putting off any decision on his future until after the World Cup.

The Belgium midfielder, right, is attracting interest from Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan among others, with the prospect of the 30-year-old becoming available this summer.

Dembele started 21 of 38 league games last year and his agent Tom De Mul said: “For the time being, Mousa does not sign.

“He has another one year with Tottenham. He has played a fantastic season and there is a lot going on around him, there is a lot of interest inside and outside of Europe. “We are waiting for the World Cup and I hope he plays in Russia, because he deserves that after such a peak season.” SUNDERLAND have been given permission to speak to St Mirren boss Jack Ross about the managerial vacancy at the Stadium of Light. Ross has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Chris Coleman on Wearside in recent days and new owner Stewart Donald has now made his move.

Donald also confirmed that progress had been made via his Twitter account. He tweeted yesterday: “I said in the press conference we would hopefully have our man by the weekend. The update is we have agreed terms and as I said, it is with the legals now. By close of play tomorrow, I hope to make an announcement.” REPORTS