SUNDERLAND

John O’Shea has become the first confirmed departure at Sunderland of the new era at the Stadium of Light – and the Irishman has explained why he has agreed to join Reading.

After seven years and almost 250 appearances for the Black Cats, the former Manchester United centre-back has ended his period on Wearside.

It is understood Sunderland’s new manager Jack Ross and owner Stewart Donald decided not to take up the option of a further 12 months and he has taken the decision to move back to the Championship.

He has signed a one-year deal and will be working under former Derby and Swansea manager Paul Clement.

O’Shea said: “I’m delighted to get it done. The last couple of weeks, I’ve been speaking to the manager and getting a feel for the place. I’m looking forward to getting started now.

“People were aware I was going to be out of contract; a few calls were made and I was thankfully able to speak to the manager. He got his ideas across and it was important for me to hear that ambition and get his thoughts.

“I worked with him a good few years ago with the Irish Under-21s and when he was with the senior team for a few games and I saw how much of an impressive coach he was, and person too, so the chance to work for him again was important.”

Now Sunderland are looking to make progress on their own transfer front. Celtic winger Lewis Morgan is high in their sights along with Hibernian’s John McGinn, but O’Shea will not be the only departure.

NEWCASTLE

Dwight Gayle’s future is again shrouded in doubt because of growing interest in the striker.

While Fulham could yet revive long-standing interest in him, as well as wanting to sign Aleksandar Mitrovic, it has emerged that Stoke City are the first Championship club to lodge an interest in him; there is expected to be more.

Fresh from relegation to the second tier, Stoke are looking to go straight back up and know Gayle effectively guarantees goals at that level provided he is fit.

The 27-year-old played a lot more regularly than was expected in the Premier League because of a lack of alternatives for Newcastle and he performed well.

But Rafa Benitez could still be willing to sell provided he is given the money to reinvest back in the team and he has better options lined up to replace him.

If Mitrovic and Gayle left as things stand – and a combined value of around £30m – then Benitez would be left with just Joselu to lead the line, which is why he is targeting new strikers.

He would fight a lot more to keep captain Jamaal Lascelles, although the money being talked about for him could prove very attractive.

Manchester United’s move for £55m-rated Toby Alderweireld means Tottenham will be armed with serious cash, as well as having plenty anyway, to make a move for the £45m-rated Lascelles. Chelsea and Everton are also keen.

MIDDLESBROUGH

Everton boss Marco Silva will not rush into letting Mo Besic leave Goodison Park.

Silva has taken over the Toffees and Boro are keen to take Besic back to the Riverside where he enjoyed an impressive loan last season.

The midfielder wants to play regularly and will fancy his chances of playing at a higher level than the Championship, but the fact he did enjoy his time on Teesside could help Tony Pulis’ hand.

But Pulis will be forced to wait because Silva, who only took over recently, is wanting to assess his squad properly before making huge changes.

OTHER CLUBS …

Liverpool are interested in signing Xherdan Shaqiri who has a release clause of more than £12m in his contract.

Man City are ready to pull the plug on their pursuit of Jorginho unless Napoli drop their £60m asking price.

Nice are increasingly confident that Patrick Vieira will become their new manager.

Aston Villa owe £11m in transfer fees to other clubs including Fulham, West Brom and Brentford.

Liverpool's hopes to persuade Atletico Madrid to part with Jan Oblak this summer look doomed.

Chelsea are ready to cut their losses on Danny Drinkwater (pictured, below) - less than a year after signing him for £30m.

Aitor Karanka wants to sign Peterborough's Jack Marriott for Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing RB Leipzig defender Lukas Klostermann.