Boss hopeful on Ruiter deal as Lens exit looks likely
Simon Grayson is ‘hopeful’ that a deal for goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter can be concluded.
Ruiter was not part of the matchday squad which lost 5-0 to Celtic in the Dafabet Cup match on Saturday, but the Black Cats’ boss insisted that was expected.
There is reported interested in the 30-year-old from Burnley and Hull City.
New arrival Jason Steele struggled on his debut and Grayson said last week that he wanted to replace both Jordan Pickford and Vito Mannone.
He said of Ruiter: “He was always going back to Holland – he had some issues to sort over there – but we’re talking to his agent and we’re hopeful might be able to complete a deal.”
Grayson also admitted that Jeremain Lens could soon leave the club.
The Black Cats rejected a bid from Besiktas late this week as they felt it did not meet their valuation.
The Dutchman signed from Dynamo Kyiv for £8million in 2015 and retrieving a good chunk of that fee will be crucial if Grayson is to reinvest in his squad.
He said: “Obviously, everybody is aware that we had a bid whichwedidn’tthinkmatched his valuation, but he was injured from the Bradford game and so he wasn’t available.
“It depends how he goes in the next few days – he might not be here in a few days if a bid comes in. We’ll have to wait and see [if he’s fit for Derby in Friday’s Championship opener] – we’ll analyse him and take it from there.”
Grayson says it is too soon to tell if Wahbi Khazri and Josh Maja will be fit for Friday. Khazri was substituted against Celtic after picking up a knock in the first half.