Costel Pantilimon and Danny Graham are close to leaving the Black Cats this month, according to the Sunderland Echo.
Goalkeeper Pantilimon, 28, started the season as first choice but has recently lost his place to youngster Jordan Pickford and Vito Mannone – whom he ousted himself last season.
After failing to feature at all in the last three matchday squads, and with his wages being the highest of the three shot-stoppers, the Romanian now looks set to leave the club he joined on a free transfer 18 months ago. Watford and Espanyol are the favourites to sign the 6ft 8 goalie – with the Black Cats’ asking price believed to be around £4.5 million.
Graham, meanwhile, is set to join Blackburn Rovers on loan for the rest of the season. The Championship club has been keeping tabs on the 30-year-old throughout the window and the striker – who has just six months left on his Sunderland contract – is expected to leave this month.
After joining from Swansea for £5 million in 2013, Gateshead-born Graham has scored just once for Sunderland in 30 league appearances – flicking in Jordi Gomez’s shot in the 2-0 victory at Goodison Park last season.
Should he be successful at Blackburn, he will be able to sign permanently for the club on a free transfer as he is in the closing stages of his contract.
