Preston lose Grayson to Sunderland

SUNDERLAND have confirmed Simon Grayson as their new manager on a three-year contract. The Englishman has left his role in charge of Preston North End having recently signed Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle from Dundalk. A deal for Cork City’s Sean Maguire was announced before his departure while teammate Kevin O’Connor’s impending move may now be under threat as a result.

ARSENAL are cooling their interest in Kylian Mbappe to concentrate on signing strikers Alexandre Lacazette of Lyon and Thomas Lemar of Monaco. The club have realised their chances of clinching a deal for 18-yearold Monaco striker Mbappe are slim due to competition from Real Madrid, Paris-Saint Germain and Liverpool. Meanwhile, Tony Colbert, one of Arsene Wenger’s longterm allies at the club, has been relieved of his duties as fitness coach and moved to the technical team.

MANCHESTER UNITED’S 24-year-old goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is wanted by at least five clubs — Leicester City, West Brom, Huddersfield Town, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.

SWANSEA CITY have signed Dutch goalkeeper Erwin Mulder from Heerenveen on a free while striker Fernando Llorente will miss part of pre-season after breaking an arm while cycling on holiday.

LIVERPOOL want Hull City’s £8million-rated left back Andrew Robertson should Alberto Moreno leave, and goalkeeper Adam Bogdan is wanted by Nottingham Forest.

BARCELONA and Brazilian side Chapecoense will play at the Nou Camp on August 7 to honour those killed when the team plane crashed last year.