Sunderland were closing in on the signing of West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand on Tuesday as he arrived on Wearside.
The England Under-21 international was set to undergo medical tests, with manager Roy Keane confident of landing a player who could cost Sunderland around £8million.
Keane said: "Anton is up today for a medical and we hope to get that tied up today."
Meanwhile Scottish defender Russell Anderson was poised to complete a season-long loan deal to Burnley today.