According to The Shields Gazzette, Middlesbrough have no intentions of selling winger Adam Johnson despite interest from Sunderland. Chief executive Keith Lamb was quoted as saying,

"We have had no approach from Sunderland, nor would we welcome one .

According to The Shields Gazzette, Sunderland are not likely going to go after Tottenham midfielder David Bentley this January. Boss Steve Bruce was quoted as saying,

"David Bentley is a good player, but I would consider a move for him very unlikely.

According to Sunderland's official website, Sunderland confirmed that free-agent midfielder Boudewijn Zenden is training with the club.

UPDATE: According to ESPN Soccernet, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce admitted that the club is close to signing Lyon defender John Mensah. He said,

"It's fair to say that we are close to agreeing a deal.

According to Graeme Anderson at The Shield Gazette, Lyon defender John Mensah is set to sign with Sunderland on Monday. Mensah's agent Fabien Piveteau said,

"The deal is 95 per cent completed now, and it will go through on Monday, I think .

UPDATE: According to Neil Allen at The News, Portsmouth executive chairman Peter Storrie admitted that the club has turned down bids for Sylvain Distin as they are not interested in selling him. He said,

"We have turned down offers and will continue to turn down offers .

UPDATE: According to Sunderland's official website, Sunderland have completed the signing of Wigan Athletic midfielder Lee Cattermole. The fee is worth £6million and Cattermole signed a four-year deal with the club.

August 4th, 2009 According to Graeme Bailey at Sky Sports News, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is planning to make a third bid for Wigan Athletic midfielder Lee Cattermole.

UPDATE: According to Matt Parker at The Sun, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is looking to sign Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin for £4million.

It is also reported that Sunderland are interested in Lyon defender John Mensah but Lyon's asking price is currently too high.

According to Rob Stewart at the Telegraph, Sunderland have given up their chase for Manchester City defender Richard Dunne and now plan on going after Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin. Sunderland hope to sign the defender for around £5million.

According to Francisco Acedo at Sky Sports News, Arsenal have agreed to loan Fran Merida to Levante for the upcoming season. The deal should become official on Sunday.

According to Stoke City's official website, Stoke City have loaned out Ben Marshall to Northampton for three months.

According to Sky Sports News, discussions have taken place between Sunderland and former West Ham United defender Lucas Neill. Neill is currently a free-agent.

According to Sunderland's official website, Sunderland have signed Tottenham striker Darren Bent for £10million. Bent signed a four-year deal with the club.

UPDATE: According to Graeme Bailey at Sky Sports News, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is planning to make a third bid for Wigan Athletic midfielder Lee Cattermole.

July 12th, 2009 According to ESPN Soccernet, Sunderland have increased their bid to £6million for Wigan Athletic midfielder Lee Cattermole.

According to James Dall at Sky Sports News, Tottenham striker Darren Bent has completed a medical for Sunderland after the two clubs agreed to a fee worth about £12million.

According to Sky Sports News, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is getting frustrated with Tottenham over a possible deal for Darren Bent. Bruce said,

"It is a frustrating time for everyone concerned but until we reach an agreement with Spurs then obviously we can't get the player.

According to Football Spy at the Daily Mirror, Crystal Palace are looking to sell striker/winger Victor Moses, who has drawn interest from Sunderland and Wigan Athletic.

It is reported that Moses will cost around £5million.

UPDATE: According to ESPN Soccernet, Aston Villa and Hull City have joined Sunderland in the hunt for Tottenham striker Darren Bent.

July 27th, 2009 According to Sky Sports News, Sunderland appear close to signing Tottenham striker Darren Bent.

According to Sky Sports News, Sunderland appear close to signing Tottenham striker Darren Bent. Bent was supposed to play in Beijing with Tottenham but was told by the club not to make the trip.

According to Giscard Gourizro at Sky Sports News, Sedan defender Paul Baysse admitted that Sunderland are interested in him but he would not say anything else. Baysse could cost around £2.6million.

According to Sunderland's official website, Sunderland have signed Marseille midfielder Lorik Cana. Cana signed a four-year deal with the club.

According to Stoke City's official website, Stoke City have completed the signing of Sunderland captain Dean Whitehead for £3million-£5million, based on incentives. Whitehead signed a four-year deal with the club.

According to Stephen Crawford at Goal.com, UEFA is looking to limit the amount of money spent on transfers by clubs. An official statement in UEFAdirect said,

"The aim is for all clubs to be able to live on the income they generate ... A series of incentives and disciplinary action will be examined at the next executive committee meeting.

According to James Dall at Sky Sports News, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp admitted that Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch is too expensive for him. He said,

"Portsmouth are trying to sell Crouchy. Sunderland were interested and I think Fulham are interested .

According to Simon Williams at the Guardian, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce admitted that he likes Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh. He said,

"Chamakh is a player I've liked for a long, long time ... We have shown an interest and we'll see what develops with that.

UPDATE: According to Sky Sports News, Portsmouth manager Paul Hart admitted that he thinks striker Peter Crouch will leave.

He also mentioned that he believes the only bid accepted for the striker has been from Sunderland.

According to Hartlepool Mail, Sunderland defender Nyson Nosworthy wants to stay with the club. Nosworthy has been linked with a move to Stoke City recently. He said,

"People have told me that Stoke are interested but that is the only way I am aware of it .

According to the Daily Mail, Wolverhampton are interested in Red Bull Salzburg striker Marc Janko.

Fulham, Wigan, Blackburn, and Sunderland are also linked with the tall striker.

UPDATE: According to Hull City's official website, Hull City have withdrawn their interest in Sunderland footballer Daryl Murphy as negotiations between Murphy and Hull broke down.

July 14th, 2009 According to the Hull Daily Mail, Hull City have agreed to a fee with Sunderland for striker Daryl Murphy.

UPDATE: According to ESPN Soccernet, Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch flew to Sunderland to work out a personal deal with the club.

July 15th, 2009 According to BBC Sport, Sunderland has agreed to pay Portsmouth £12million for striker Peter Crouch.

UPDATE: According to BBC Sport, Sunderland has agreed to pay Portsmouth £12million for striker Peter Crouch. However Sunderland boss Steve Bruce would not confirm that a fee had been agreed upon. He said,

"I haven't been told anything to the contrary.

According to the Hull Daily Mail, Hull City have agreed to a fee with Sunderland for striker Daryl Murphy. Murphy is now allowed to begin talks with Hull City. Hull City boss Phil Brown said,

"It's advanced and we've spoken to Sunderland and agreed terms .

UPDATE: According to Sunderland's official website, Sunderland have signed Toluca defender Paulo Da Silva. Da Silva signed a three-year deal with the club.

July 5th, 2009 According to Sky Sports News, Sunderland are close to signing Deportivo Toluca defender Paulo Da Silva on a free transfer.

UPDATE: According to ESPN Soccernet, Sunderland have increased their bid to £6million for Wigan Athletic midfielder Lee Cattermole.

July 10th, 2009 According to ESPN Soccernet, Sunderland have made a bid for Manchester United striker Fraizer Campbell and Wigan Athletic midfielder Lee Cattermole.

According to Steve Bates at the Sunday People, Sunderland will make a £7million bid for Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos.

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