Sunderland non-executive director Dave Jones has revealed that Sunderland are close to a breakthrough in their pursuit of adding new players to Phil Parkinson's squad.
The Black Cats have so far added Bailey Wright and Aiden O'Brien this summer, while a few players from their under-23 squad like Jack Diamond and Brandon Taylor are expected to step-up this season.
But Sunderland play their first friendly on Saturday against Gateshead, which comes just two weeks before they host Hull City in the first round of the Carabao Cup, and three weeks before their first league game of the new campaign at home to Bristol Rovers.
And with the fixture list throwing up a tough start on paper for Parkinson's men, getting new faces in as soon as possible, giving them time to blend into the squad, could be crucial.
Jones made a positive update on that front in a chat with the Foundation of Light for their Fixture breakfast event on Friday morning.
He said: "I think we made a breakthrough yesterday on a key target so we should have more on that in the next 28 to 48 hours if we can get that done.
“There are lots of plates spinning and all being well, we'll add the numbers that Phil has been talking about.”
Parkinson has openly said he would like another five additions to his squad this summer.
A goalkeeper is one position that needs filling and his ex-Bolton shot-stopper Remi Matthews is believed to be the top target and could be the player Jones refers to.
Morgan Feeney is another potential incoming soon. The ex-Everton academy centre-back has been on trial at the club and has impressed, which will likely lead to him earning a deal on Wearside.
Jones has been heavily involved in recruitment this summer alongside Jim Rodwell and Parkinson, and admits it's been challenging after salary caps were introduced, but is optimistic about the direction they're taking recruitment in.
Jones has been advocating a more modern way of doing recruitment, based on his past experiences at Oxford, with an emphasis on young players who can make the club more sustainable and profitable by signing exciting young talent and developing them into a higher value player. It sounds like he's getting his wish.
He continued: "The goalposts moved quite dramatically halfway through the window.
“Now it's a big jigsaw puzzle, we have 22 slots for over 21s, we obviously need three key positions and then it's about adding a bit of sparkle to the team.
“We want to add value to the club long-term and build sustainability, which the club has been without for about a decade or more. Trying to avoid short-term signings where you can, though there might be one or two little bargains that come up.
“At the end of this period, towards the start of the season, players you thought weren't in your reach have found that the glut of clubs willing to pay a lot of money for them have disappeared, so you might want to pick up one or two that can help us get over the line.
“It's a balance between getting promotion this season, which we all want, and building a more sustainable football team.”
