Recap & Rumours: Midfielder linked; New kit 'details' emerge; Sale talk still circulating & more

Sunderland linked with Liverpool midfielder

According to the Daily Mail, Sunderland are one of a trio of clubs interested in Liverpool's Kevin Stewart.

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The 23-year-old defensive midfielder is set to leave Anfield this summer with Stoke and Burnley also credited with an interest.

Stewart joined Tottenham's academy in 2010 as a youngster but failed to make a single appearance at White Hart Lane before being snapped up by Liverpool two years ago. The player - who can also turn out in defence - has made just 4 appearances under Jurgen Klopp this season.

During his time at Liverpool, Stewart has been loaned out to Cheltenham, Burton and Swindon Town.

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Moyes requests hearing over 'slap' comments

Sunderland boss David Moyes has requested a personal hearing with the Football Association over his charge relating to comments he made to a BBC reporter.

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The 54-year-old Scot was caught on camera telling Vicki Sparks she "might get a slap" for asking a question about his future following the goalless draw with Burnley in March.

Moyes expressed his "deep regret" over the comments and Sunderland AFC described the manager's behaviour as "wholly inappropriate" in a subsequent statement.

A fine levied on Moyes is the most likely outcome as the sorry saga drags on.

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Turkish reports claim Lens exit talks in progress

Reports in Turkey have suggested Fenerbahce executives have met with Sunderland to discuss a permanent transfer for want-away Dutch winger Jeremain Lens.

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Lens has been one of the stars of the Turkish season with 4 goals and 9 assists playing under Dick Advocaat at the Istanbul outfit.

The reports suggest Sunderland are holding out for a fee of £4.5m with Fenerbahce hoping to negotiate that down.

Lens angered fans on Wearside and manager David Moyes in January by stating on Turkish television that relegation for the Black Cats would make his life easier. That was most likely because his contract contains a reduced sell-on clause in the event Sunderland drop into the Championship.

That mooted £4.5m is half of the initial amount Sunderland paid for the 29-year-old from Dynamo Kiev in 2015. With add-ons, the total amount forked out was nearer £13m.

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New kit rumours

Sunderland's new home kit for next season will have thinner stripes than the present one and the away shirt will be a grey/silver affair.

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So whispers which have reached us suggest. The home top features a red back panel which may yet be binned now the club doesn't need need to adhere to Premier League rules which are set to be more rigorously enforced prohibiting stripes on the rear of shirts.

We're also told the home top will set tongues wagging. So be warned.

The club's new change kit will be a similar affair to Real Madrid's from a couple of years ago.

Mock-ups at the ready. What do you think?

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Sale talk not going away

The fact that Ellis Short is open to offers for Sunderland is little secret, but the American has been widely assumed to be hanging on to see what will become of his investment now that relegation has been confirmed.

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But rumours persist that the Black Cats' owner indicated at last week's summit between himself, chief executive Martin Bain and manager David Moyes that he would return with further information on his intent to sell the club ten days hence.

That ten days is about up with some expecting further development during the early part of next week. Certainly whispers of supposed interested parties continue to circulate.

It might also explain David Moyes' current reluctance to commit with certainty his future to the club.