WES BROWN EXCLUSIVE
can be and give the fans something to cheer about. “Hopefully by the end of August we will have 20 players the supporters will take to. “There is a lot of work to do and I have never said it will be a happy-go-lucky club within 24 hours and everyone would have big smiles on their faces. “There is a lot of work to do to restore confidence and belief in the group.” Grayson wants to sign Liverpool youngster Ryan Kent and Preston striker Jordan Hugill. And as midfielder Lens completes his £6million move from the Stadium of Light to Besiktas today, Grayson has told Black Cats Chief Executive Martin Bain he wants the pair to join up with the team this week.
Winger Kent, 20, spent last season on loan at Barnsley and although he has impressed in pre-season for Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp could give him another year away from Anfield.
Grayson is then prepared to raid his former club Preston for Middlesbrough-born Hugill, who finished top scorer at Deepdale with 13 goals.
Grayson is desperate for a goalscorer after Jermain Defoe left the club on a free transfer following relegation, returning to the Premier League with Bournemouth.
He has signed former Everton striker James Vaughan for £200,000 from Bury, and raided the Cherries to get Lewis Grabban on loan – who opened his account from the penalty spot in Friday’s season opener.