Cats double summer swoop lined-up as £2m price tag put on striker

With the League One season drawing to a close, the focus is turning to the summer transfer window – with rumours already starting to circulate.

Here’ s the latest gossip from Sunderland and their League One rivals:

Sunderland could be set to about two new players to their Under-23 ranks.

Northampton Town academy midfielder Tom Scott is reportedly set to join the Black Cats at the end of the season having been involved in some of the club’s recent Premier League 2 fixtures.

And he may not be the only new addition to Elliott Dickman’s squad over the summer –with the Sun claiming that the Wearsiders want to sign Manchester United goalkeeper Jacob Carney.

Carney, who is currently on loan at Portadown, is also thought to be on the radar of Burnley ahead of his contract expiring this summer.

A number of Sunderland’s Under -23 side see their contracts expire this summer, meaning Dickman could well be in the market for fresh recruits.

Jerry Yates was linked with a move to the Stadium of Light last summer, but eventually joined Blackpool.

And the former Rotherham United man has enjoyed a fine campaign thus far – netting 22 times in all competitions.

Such form has naturally drawn admiring glances from elsewhere, with reports in The Athletic suggesting that Nottingham Forest, Bristol City and Blackburn Rovers are all keen on Yates.

However, a £2million fee could be required to secure his services. While Sunderland and Lincoln City have already sealed their play-off places, the battle for the final two spots remains open.

Blackpool have all-but securedthe third space and could make sure of that against Doncaster on Tuesday evening – but Karl Robinson is hoping that the Tangerines slip-up in order to allow a final day ‘dingdong’.

“Roll on next Sunday and the balls start rolling again,” he said.

“Charlton will have to score an awful lot of goals to go above us with their game in hand. Depending on Blackpool' s result on Tuesday, we could go ahead of them on the last day of the season.

“If Blackpool don't win and there's four of us fighting for two spots, it' s going to be a right ding-dong on the last day of the season.

“I don't sit here and play games, we just love what we're doing and our job.”