Sunderland have moved one step closer to signing Celtic’s Adam Matthews after the Scottish champions accepted their bid for the right-back.
The bid was believed to be in the region of £2million and the 12-time capped Welsh international could complete his move on Friday if personal terms are agreed.
Celtic have allowed the 23-year-old to leave after securing the services of Manchester United’s Saidy Janko.
He was an integral part of Ronny Delia’s side that retained the Scottish Premiership last year, making 42 appearances, playing a total of 148 games since his move from Cardiff back in 2011.
New faces on Wearside
Matthews is set to be Dick Advocaat’s second signing of the summer, with Uruguayan defender Sebastian Coates completing his permanent move from Liverpool to the Black Cats earlier in the week.
The Uruguayan wants to continue playing football, the same way "how we [Sunderland] finished.
"For me, I played really well at the end of last season and the team did as well so I hope we can be good this year."
Coates spoke of his excitement to work Advocaat once again saying how happy he was "to be here," before setting his expectations for the coming season: "I will try to improve on last season and hopefully the team will too."
Sunderland will be desperately trying to avoid another season where they just survive the relegation drop, after a run of five games unbeaten made sure they finished above the drop zone in 16th.
Dick Advocaat looking to add new faces
They are also reported to be maintaining their interest in Zenit St Petersburg’s Nicolas Lombaerts and Dynamo Kiev’s Jeremain Lens. They are also now the favourites to land highly-rated midfielder Marco Van Ginkel on a season-long loan, beating rivals Newcastle to the Dutchman.
Advocaat has also managed to tie down key midfielder Lee Cattermole to a five-year contract extension at the Stadium of Light, completing the deal on Thursday.
Victories over Southampton and Everton, and draws with Leicester and Arsenal made sure that they kept their top-flight status.