Black Cats bid for Spurs quartet

Midfielders Steed Malbranque and Teemu Tainio plus defenders Pascal Chimbonda and Younes Kaboul are all the subject of a bid by the Black Cats.

Manager Roy Keane had earlier refused to be drawn on the identity of his transfer targets but revealed he wanted to make five or six new signings before the start of the season on August 16.

It followed the news that striker Kenwyne Jones had been ruled out for up to two months with knee ligament damage.

Spurs striker Darren Bent has also been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane - with Sunderland again one of the mooted destinations.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn and chief executive Peter Walker are attempting to reach agreements which will allow Keane to sit down with players and sell them his vision for the club.

Keane said: "There are different hurdles to overcome in certain deals, but we have jumped over one or two over the last few nights and I think we are close to some of the deals.

"I am pretty sure that this time next week, we will have plenty of new faces at the club.

"But it takes time. Niall and Peter are in negotiation with a few clubs at this moment and we are getting very close to them.

"But again, all I want is an opportunity to speak to these players. If they come, they come; if they don't, then you get on with it."