Sunderland make transfer breakthrough with deal agreed for striker

Sunderland appear to have made a major breakthrough in their attempts to sign attacking reinforcements, with Nazariy Rusyn close to completing a move to Wearside.

Journalist Igor Burbas has reported via his Telegram channel that a deal has finally been reached, and the Ukrainian forward will sign a four-year deal with an option of a further year on top.

No details have been confirmed about the fee, although his club Zorya Luhansk were understood to value him at around €3m. There is also a sell-on clause included.

“Nazarii Rusyn will become a Sunderland player,” Burbas reported. “Last week, the clubs discussed the terms of transfer payments and interest from resale.

“In the end, they managed everything. The player himself will soon undergo a medical examination and sign a contract. It will be for 4 years with the possibility of extension for another 1 year.”

Rusyn could solve two problems for Sunderland, with him able to operate as a striker as well as in wider positions.

The 24-year-old was the second-highest scorer in the Ukrainian league last season and has already got off the mark in this campaign too.

However, he has missed the last two matches with a reported abductor problem, although speculation has been rife that he was actually being left out so as to not put the deal with Sunderland in jeopardy.

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