BLACK CATS SET FOR DRAMATIC DEADLINE DAY

NDONG LINK AS PRESSURE MOUNTS ON CATS AFTER MISSING OUT ON IBORRA, MASON

Sunderland are poised for a dramatic deadline day after a deal for Sevilla’s Vicente Iborra collapsed and fellow midfield target Ryan Mason joined Hull City.

It means the Black Cats head into the final day of the summer transfer window with a goalkeeper, defensive cover, midfield reinforcements and a striker still to be secured – with Lamine Kone’s future still up in the air.

Lorient and Gabon midfielder Didier Ndong is reported to be on the club’s wish-list, with sources in France claiming that Sunderland are closing in on a deal.

Sunderland would need to smash their transfer record to land the £17million-rated midfielder, who turned 22 in June.

Should Sunderland agree to cough up, it would smash the £13m fee shelled out for Asamoah Gyan from Rennes back in 2010.

Ndong scored twice and picked up 14 yellow cards in 38 appearances for the Ligue 1 side last season.

Sunderland face a busy final day after a frustrating day on the transfer front.

Sevilla had accepted a £7.7million offer from Sunderland for Iborra, but the deal collapsed after the Spanish club decided against selling their captain.

Iborra, who has played in Spain throughout his career, was understood to be open to a move to

Wearside but a late change of heart contributed to the deal falling through.

The deal for the 28-yearold is now dead in the water, with Sunderland having no choice but to move on to other targets.

Sunderland had also hoped to tie up a deal for Tottenham midfielder Mason, with a £40,000-a-week deal on the table. But talks with Hull, who had tracked the 25-year-old all summer, were at an advanced stage and he joined them on a club-record deal worth around £10million.

Moyes’ midfield options have been stretched after the injuries to Lee Cattermole (hernia), Jan Kirchhoff (hamstring) and Seb Larsson (knee), who is out for six months.

The Sunderland boss also needs to bring in defensive cover with Papy Djilobodji, Kone and John O’Shea the only recognised centre-backs as Paddy McNair sees himself as more of a defensive midfielder, although Jack Rodwell can deputise in defence if needed.

Moyes has been adamant Everton target Kone won’t be leaving Wearside despite the Ivory Coast international turning down the offer of a new contract.

Everton lodged a bid of £18m for the 27-year-old and the Toffees could come back in for him before the deadline.

Sunderland are understood to be weighing up a loan deal for Manchester City defender Jason Denayer, while Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho has also been linked after he was made available for loan.

Denayer was part of Belgium’s Euro 2016 squad but has found himself surplus to requirements under Pep Guardiola at City. A central defender, Denayer has spent the last two seasons on loan at Celtic and Galatasaray.

Galatasaray are keen on Denayer rejoining them on loan after his 17 appearances last season.

Sakho has already turned down moves to West Brom and Stoke and it remains to be seen whether he would agree to a move to Wearside.