LEON DAJAKU is set to become the first departure from Sunderland this summer, with Croatian side Hajduk Split in talks to acquire his services.

The Black Cats have had an extremely busy start to the summer transfer window, with Jobe Bellingham having become the fourth player to arrive at the Stadium of Light when his £3m transfer from Birmingham City was confirmed on Saturday.

Bellingham joins Nectarios Triantis, Luis Semedo and Jenson Seelt on the list of incomings, with further additions planned ahead of the start of the new Championship season at the beginning of August.

While Sunderland lost a number of loanees at the end of last season, and also released Carl Winchester at the end of his contract, there is a need to trim the squad to create space for the new arrivals.

Dajaku has been identified as one of the players Tony Mowbray is willing to lose, with the German having barely featured under the current Black Cats boss.

The 22-year-old winger started a couple of matches under Mowbray last autumn, but failed to establish himself in the starting side and was sent on loan to Swiss side St Gallen in January.

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His time in the Swiss top-flight did not really go to plan as he started just eight games in the second half of last season, and St Gallen opted not to push for a permanent deal this summer.

However, there has been alternative interest in Dajaku on the continent, and the Croatian media are reporting that Hajduk Split are close to agreeing a deal. With the Sunderland hierarchy keen to push through an agreement, it has been suggested that a transfer could be completed in the next few days.

The Black Cats’ reserve goalkeeper, Alex Bass, is another fringe player who has been touted for a possible summer exit, with League One newcomers Leyton Orient having been linked with a deal.

Bass’ only two appearances for Sunderland last season came in the opening round of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, and Leyton Orient have reportedly lined him up as a potential replacement for Lawrence Vigoroux, who starred as they won League Two last season, but who is on the verge of joining Burnley.