Sunderland have finally started to make some progress in the transfer window but they will still need to do more work to strengthen the squad before the campaign starts.

That is something that Lee Johnson himself has already recently acknowledged and the hope will be that the Black Cats can add a couple more players to their squad at least ahead of the start of the League One campaign.

That comes with them already having secured the free transfer signings of Corry Evans and Alex Pritchard.

The Black Cats have been started to be linked with a couple of potential transfer signings over the weekend and it will be interesting to see if they can step up their activities this week.

While it has also been reported by the Sunderland Echo that they are close to adding to their development squad with the capture of Middlesbrough’s Andrew Nelson.

So, with all that in mind we round-up some of the latest transfer news concerning Sunderland…

Sunderland interested in loan move for Joe Rafferty as Preston stance outlined

According to the latest report from The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, Sunderland are interested in adding a new full-back to their squad during the rest of the transfer window.

That comes with Denver Hume’s future still to be resolved at the Stadium of Light. Johnson has recently suggested that there remains will on both sides for a deal to be reached and for the full-back to remain at the Stadium of Light but he also confessed they have yet to reach an agreement with him.

Nixon’s latest report suggests that Sunderland are eyeing up a potential loan move for Preston North End defender Joe Rafferty.

The 27-year-old offers the versatility of being able to play in both full-back positions and he has League One pedigree having impressed at Rochdale in the third tier prior to his switch to Preston.

However, according to the Lancashire Evening Post, Preston would not be keen to see the defender leave the club during the summer transfer window because he provides useful cover in various positions. It is believed that if the 27-year-old was to leave it would have to be for a transfer fee.

Johnson eyeing ambitious move for Leigh Griffiths

According to the latest report from the Scottish Sun, Sunderland are eyeing up a potential surprise move for Celtic forward Leigh Griffiths this summer.

It is believed that the Black Cats are looking into the idea of securing him on a potential loan deal if they can do before the window shuts.

That comes with Sunderland in the market to find a replacement for Charlie Wyke who has turned down a new contract offer from the Black Cats to sign for League One rivals Wigan Athletic this summer.

It is thought that new Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has yet to decide on what he wants to do with the forward this summer and that he a decision will be made over Griffiths’ future shortly.

The forward has not always been Celtic’s first-choice striker in the last few years with Odsonne Edouard their go-to player for goals really at present. Therefore, a fresh move to somewhere like Sunderland might be a positive one for him.

Blackpool want permanent Elliot Embleton move but face hurdle

According to a report from The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, newly-promoted Blackpool are interested in making a permanent move for Sunderland midfielder Elliot Embleton this summer.

That comes after he had played a key role for the Tangerines in their promotion to the English second tier during a loan spell in the second half of last term.

Blackpool manager Neil Critchley has recently suggested that his side would continue to monitor the developments of three of their loanees from last term during the rest of the transfer window. That of course included Embleton.

The latest report from Nixon though also suggests that Blackpool are facing a stumbling block regarding their pursuit of Embleton with both them and Sunderland believed to be wide apart in terms of their valuations of the midfielder.