We start today’s transfer roundup with the news that Norwich have beaten Sunderland to the signing of Lincoln City’s Sean Raggett. The centre-back has signed a 3 year deal with Daniel Farke’s Canaries, but will be loaned back to his former club until January.
Norwich is a huge club and it was a chance I couldn't turn down. I've had a great time at Lincoln and it will be good to go back for the first few months of the season and thank them for what they've done.
With the future of Lamine Kone still very much a contentious issue, Grayson will be disappointed to have missed the opportunity to add a young talent into his squad for little in terms of financial outlay.
Instead, the Sunderland boss and his team will have to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements with Villa’s Tommy Elphick still very much a target for the club.
As noted yesterday - and indeed every other day of this bloody transfer window - Ross McCormack is still very much a target for the club; however the news that Robert Snodgrass is now available has also raised questions about whether or not the West Ham man could find his way to Wearside.
Admittedly the financial side of things are making both deals tricky ones to complete, and it could take a departure in order to make one of them permanent. That being said, if Sunderland could make at least one of those deals a loan - then the potential for securing McCormack and Snodgrass becomes slightly more possible.
Grayson didn’t sound too convincing when asked about the potential of bringing Snodgrass to the club:
When people like him become available, you would be foolish not to consider it. Again, that would be a deal dictated by finances.
He is a good footballer, I enjoyed working with him at Leeds. Would he be a good addition? Of course he would, he is a good footballer. Can we do it? Who knows? But we might ask the question.
Question marks aplenty, but let’s watch this space.
And finally, after being faced with Lyon potentially preparing a bid for athletic midfielder Didier Ndong, Simon Grayson has suggested both he and the club are keen to hold onto the Gabonese midfielder:
They complement each other (Cattermole & Ndong) – Didier's energy and enthusiasm rubs off on other people. They are a good partnership at this moment in time and I hope that we can keep hold of them.
As we thoroughly explained yesterday, the potential offer from Lyon hinges on whether Tottenham decide to go all in regarding the potential signing of Celta Vigo midfielder Pape Cheikh Diop. Sunderland will hope that Pochettino and Levy will look elsewhere for some midfield backup in order to help Lyon seal Diop’s signature, and end their interest in our villus-headed midfielder.
Maybe we just need a catchy tune for Didier? Anyone got any 90’s suggestions other than the opening lines of Whigfield’s, Saturday Night?