ROKER ROUNDUP: Khazri’s agent gives transfer update & reported Sunderland target moves elsewhere

Roma rumours refuted

Wahbi Khazri was linked with Roma earlier in the week with claims in the Italian and French media suggesting that the Serie A club were considering signing the 27-year-old as an alternative to Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech.

But, in an interview with Italian radio station Centro Suono Sport, his agent Jean-Christophe Cano said there was no truth to those claims:

No, I personally have not been contacted. I know Monchi [Roma’s Sporting Director] well, but we never talked about Wahbi.

Although that appears to rule out Roma, Khazri is still attracting attention from a number of Ligue 1 sides with Monaco, Lyon, Nice and his former loan club Rennes all credited with an interest in the player.

Tunisia play Spain in Krasnodar later today, but Khazri will miss out despite recovering from injury as the North African side look to wrap him in cotton wool ahead of the World Cup finals next week.

Goalkeeping duo out of contract

A goalkeeper Sunderland have been reportedly interested in signing, 19-year-old Max Johnstone - younger brother of one time Sunderland target Sam - has been released by Manchester United.

United announced their retained list yesterday and it confirmed Johnstone’s departure. Sunderland, Cardiff City and Bury have all ‘expressed interest’ in the ‘keeper according to ESPN.

Another goalkeeper’s future is in doubt at Man Utd, with England U21 international Dean Henderson out of contract at the end of the month.

Henderson starred on loan at Shrewsbury in League One last season, and is stalling on signing a new contract so may leave in the search for regular first team football.

Coton move scuppers Villa transfer

Although Sunderland haven’t officially confirmed Tony Coton’s appointment as the club’s Head of Recruitment, the ex-goalkeeper has left Aston Villa and should be announced in the coming days.

Coton’s departure from Villa Park has already had repercussions as it looks to have scuppered the Midlands’ club’s move for Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Sean Clare, according to the Sheffield Star. The 6’3” midfielder is out of contract at Hillsbrough at the end of the month and is yet to commit to the contract Wednesday have offered him.

The Star claims Coton’s move to Sunderland - as well as Villa’s perilous financial plight - may force Villa to look elsewhere.

Naylor joins Portsmouth

Tom Naylor had been linked with Sunderland on a regular basis in 2018 - the versatile player was out of contract at Burton Albion at the end of the month, which made him quite an attractive proposition as Chris Coleman and then Jack Ross looked to rebuild ahead of next season.

He won’t be coming to Sunderland though as the 26-year-old joined League One rivals Portsmouth yesterday.

Naylor has agreed a three-year deal with Kenny Jackett’s side and will sign officially on July 1st. He featured 33 times for the Brewers last season as they joined us in exiting the Championship.

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