ROKER ROUNDUP: Conflicting messages re: Sunderland’s pursuit of Charlie Wyke - what’s going on?

Wyke on his bike?

The Charlie Wyke transfer saga rumbles on, with the striker still at Bradford City despite Sunderland and Bolton Wanderers’ protracted interest.

Fellow Sunderland fansite WeAreWearside suggested yesterday that Wyke was on the verge of completing a move to the Stadium of Light, but that was denied by a Bradford based journalist, who claimed there has not been any further movement on the deal.

Stewart Donald did add a bit of intrigue to the situation late last night though, as he responded to a question from a Twitter user about the rumoured deal.

What exactly our owner means by that cheeky little wink remains to be seen but we understand that if we do sign Wyke, it will likely see the end of our pursuit of Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp - and vice versa - even if we do target an additional forward after the potential signing.

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Derby set to sign Evans

Sunderland had hoped to sign Reading midfielder George Evans but despite agreeing a fee with his club and then agreeing terms with the player, the 23-year-old stalled on the deal in the hopes of getting a move to another Championship club.

Sunderland have already moved on, with a move for Wycombe Wanderers midfielder Luke O’Nien close to being completed, but Evans had hoped a move to Derby County would materialise.

And he may now get his wish, with Frank Lampard’s side agreeing a fee with Reading for the player’s services.

Should he complete the move in time, he’s likely to make his debut for Derby at the Madjeski Stadium as the opening game of the Championship season sees the two teams face off.

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More praise for O’Nien

As we mentioned, Luke O’Nien is on the verge of completing his move to Sunderland - and some of his former team-mates have been paying tribute to the player.

Adebayo Akinfenwa was upset about his partner-in-crime for goal celebrations was moving on and bemoaned the fact that he would have to work harder to make up for O’Nien’s absence:

Wycombe’s captain Adam El-Abd was also sad to see the player depart for pastures new:

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Bradford snap up former Sunderland youngster

League One rivals Bradford City have signed Sunderland academy product Ben Wilson on a free transfer.

25-year-old Wilson started his career at Sunderland but was released in 2013. After his release he had short spells with Cambridge United and Accrington Stanley but had been on the books of Premier League side Cardiff City since 2014 until his contract expired this summer.

He had been on trial with Shrewsbury Town, but joins Bradford on a permanent deal having featured on their substitutes bench yesterday as his new club lost to the last kick of the game away to Carlisle in a pre-season friendly.

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