Cats launch bid for Bajamich as Parkinson gives transfer update

Phil Parkinson is targeting Argentinian striker Mateo Bajamich.

The Black Cats are believed to have submitted a bid of around £500,000 for the 21-year-old, who plays for Instituto in the Argentinian second tier.

Parkinson is eager to add another striking option to his squad and Bajamich is particularly appealing as he would not count towards the salary cap rules.

That would leave Parkin son with another free spot in his squad to further strengthen for what is going to be a punishing season.

"Like I said when we signed Arbenit, we have to spread our net wider than normal to add the quality we need into the squad,” Parkinson said.

"He's a player we've obviously looked at and along with a number of targets, we'd like to add another couple into the group sooner rather than later.”

Sunderland face competition from elsewhere for Baja mich’ ssig nature, with Park in son adam ant throughout the summer that he had numerous options for the position.

One of those in this the former Black Cat Danny Graham, who is available as a free agent and has trained with the club recently.

Park in son hinted that the salary cap rules means he could potentially bring in both, though he is also keen to strengthen other areas of his squad.

In particular, Parkinson has been eager to bring in competition and cover for Denver Hume on the lefthand side.

Asked what the pursuit of

Bajamich meant for the potential deal to bring in Graham, Parkinson said: "It all depends on the age of players coming in,” Parkinson said.

"Obviously, if it's an Under -21 player, they don' t count towards the salary cap in terms of the wages and also the squad number.

It would be ideal if one of the places we were able to bring in was an Under-21 player, because then it would mean we could bring in an extra senior player into the squad."

Parkinson is hoping that Ar ben itXh em ajliw ill be able to feature against Aston Villa Under-21s on Tuesday night.

The defender has signed a two-year deal with Sunderland, but is still awaiting international clearance from the Swiss FA.