Sunderland: Simon Grayson running out of time to get preferred deals over the line

Grayson has already lost out to Aston Villa for Rob Snodgrass and now he has found it harder than anticipated to land his other three main targets.

His former club Preston North End have warned anyone chasing striker Jordan Hugill that he will not be sold before Thursday’s 11pm deadline after knocking back a transfer request.

Grayson has always felt he would have to play the waiting game in his pursuits of other key targets, and that is how it has proven.

Aston Villa forward Ross McCormack is still high in Grayson’s sights. Villa, though, are prepared to wait for as long as they can in the hope of striking a better deal with another club prepared to pay more.

Sunderland would like to sign McCormack on loan and take on a chunk of his weekly wage, whereas Villa would understandably prefer to sell him permanently because he is not in Steve Bruce’s plans.

The arrival of Snodgrass at Villa Park has strengthened Sunderland’s chances because Aston Villa want to reduce the wage bill to adhere to Financial Fair Play rules. The delay, however, leaves the door open for others to make a late move for him in the next 48 hours.

Middlesbrough are also not prepared to let Grant Leadbitter go this window, and certainly not on the cheap, even though he only has 12 months remaining on his contract.

Both Leadbitter and McCormack are two of the deals Grayson had hoped to be able to pull off before the window closes.

The addition of at least one new striker has always been in the Sunderland manager’s thinking despite bringing in James Vaughan and Lewis Grabban.

In an ideal world Hugill would have followed him quickly from Deepdale but it soon became apparent Preston were in no mood to sell – and significant interest has driven his price-tag up a few times.

The Middlesbrough-born striker, who had a spell on loan with Hartlepool a couple of seasons ago, has made his feelings known by handing in a transfer request. Preston confirmed that was rejected.

Birmingham, Ipswich, Wolves and Reading have all had bids turned down for Hugill this summer. The initial offers were around the £2.5m mark and they have risen to £4m and now £8m.

Preston’s stance has frustrated the 25-year-old but the Lilywhites have made it clear he will not be going anywhere before 11pm on Thursday night.

"Preston North End can confirm that Jordan Hugill has (on Tuesday) handed in a written transfer request," the club said in a brief statement on their official website.

"The club have rejected this request and will not be selling him in this transfer window."

Leeds are also on the look-out for a new forward following the sale of Chris Wood to Burnley and they have been in touch only to be rebuffed.

Hugill scored 12 goals in the Championship last season and has scored three in six games in all competitions this campaign. He has 12 months remaining on his contract.

Grayson had hoped there would have been greater movement on the outgoing front to help with his own recruitment.

But Sunderland have struggled to sell anyone else quickly, so there will no longer be much time to bring in a replacement unless things can move fast.

One of the likeliest contenders to leave remains Wahbi Khazri. The Tunisian has made his feelings known about leaving before the deadline and Turkish club Alanyaspor have been in touch at some level to express an interest.

It is not entirely certain what level those discussions have taken place, but the Turkish Super Lig side are known to be keen on him. Other Turkish sides such as Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have previously been credited with an interest.

Sunderland would love to offload the £9m signing from Bordeaux in the next couple of days but he outlined just last week he would prefer to stay in England and prove himself in the Premier League.

In an interview he did in France, he said: “My priority is to stay in the Premier League. When you have tasted the Premier League, you don’t want to leave it. I am open to all leagues and clubs.”