By SIMON JONES and OLIVER TODD, DIGITAL HEAD OF SPORT and OLLIE LEWIS, DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR and BEN WINSTANLEY and TAMARA PRENN, SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER
Sunderland have agreed a £8.6million deal for Royal Antwerp defensive midfielder Jules Ahoka.
The 20-year-old has been given permission to travel for his medical over the weekend.
The clubs have agreed on the fee and Ahoka, who is described as a 'technically gifted powerhouse' by Belgian media, is onside with personal terms.
Roberto De Zerbi would not be lured into talking about prospective signings Savinho and Omar Marmoush even though Spurs are thought to be close to sealing deals for both players from Manchester City.
De Zerbi said: 'It’s not right to speak about the players until it’s official. Just to say I’m very happy and we have not finished yet in the transfer market. So far, we have signed great players, with great spirit and personality, but you know like me you don’t win the game with the names of the big players, there are a lot examples in the last years. We have to deserve to win the game and to deserve to win the game have to reach the highest level in character patience, value and style of play.
'Our first two targets are clear. The first, to find the soul of the team. The second, to improve in our organisation of football, with and without the ball. Our style has to be the key to our season. these two characteristics I want to find as soon as possible.'
Aston Villa remain favourites to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea as Unai Emery admits Al Hilal's bids for Ollie Watkins are causing a problem.
The Saudi club have had a fourth bid of £45million for Watkins rejected and it follows on from £38.5m being dismissed on Tuesday.
Villa know Watkins is open to the move and have offered him a new deal but would need a replacement should they finally have to sell.
Atletico Madrid, Napoli and Saudi clubs are keen on the Senegal international but he is ready to link up with his former boss Emery if they can agree a deal with Chelsea.
His arrival could be even more necessary if Al Hilal make an offer Villa find difficult to turn down for Watkins.
'We have an issue with him, it is clear,; Emery said. 'We had offers for him but he is our player. I don't want to sell him but it can change if it is a good option for him, the club and I can replace him in the squad.
'He is here and is a fantastic striker. We have always believed and supported him, he did it.
'There is 10 days to finish the transfer window, we will see. He is our player and I am happy with him.'
