Sunderland close in on Xhemajli as Parkinson gives transfer update

Sunderland are closing on the signing of free agent Arbenit Xhemajli.

TheKosov an defender made a positive impression during a trial period, playing 45 minutes of the 3-1 friendly win over Gateshead last weekend.

Xhemajli then returned to Switzerland as he and the Black Cats weighed up their options, but the 22-year-old is now back in the UK for further talks.

Phil Parkinson has been in the market all summer for a left-sided defender and looks to be closing in.

The Black Cats boss also wants another striking option, as well as cover and competition for Denver Hume on the left flank.

“A rb en it is back in the country and talks with that one are ongoing," Parkinson said.

“Hopefully, we can add one or two to what we' ve got, as I and every manager in the country keeps saying, strength in numbers is going to be very important this season.

“We've got one or two other things that we're going to have a chat about now as a staff, to see where we go with our options.

“We know what we need, we know the question marks on the office wall that we need to fill. We're working towards that.”

Asked whether he expected to make any additions beyond that of Xhemajli before the season opener against Hull City next weekend, Parkinson would not rule it out but stressed that he remained keen to be patient in the market.

The transfer window is set to run until the middle of

October and the Black Cats boss wants to leave some room in case any quality additions become available.

The new salary cap rules limit the Black Cats to a squad of 22 players over the age of 21.

“We' ll try ,” Park in son said. “The transfer window is open for a while yet.

“We want to get the balance between being strong enough to start the season, and leaving one or two gaps available so that if players become available later in the window, we have the resources and the spaces within the salary cap rules [to do it].”

*Manchester City's bid to secure Kevin de Bruyne to a new £350,000-a-week contract has been put on hold after the 29-year-old Belgium midfielder's agent was arrested by Belgian police.