The positivity surrounding Sunderland seems to be growing and growing. This morning following a lot of silence regarding the club in previous Sunday papers, we are virtually dominating the gossip column-inches. Even stories with almost nothing to do with the Black Cats has us wondering, putting two and two together. Spurs are determined to sign a striker this week, does that free Defoe up for transfer?

Manchester City needs to sell or reduce their wage bill before they can pursue other targets. Meaning one of the big stories has it that Adam Johnson will be made available for loan. But Sunderland leads the race, apparently, and is preparing a “shock” £10million bid for their long-term target. That is enough to excite the most optimistic Sunderland fan.

However, is there a bigger shock in store? Something that’ll make the Premier League perhaps sit up and take notice if we can pull this one off.

It is also a name I rather jokingly threw into the mix just over a week ago, Dimitar Berbatov. It could be paper talk, but at a reported £5million it would represent a bargain in the current climate, although wages are another consideration.     

Click the link to read what I previously said of Berbatov.