SUNDERLAND’S summer clear-out has began under Jack Ross and he has given permission for Didier Ndong to move to Italian club Torino in a £6.6m deal.

News that Torino have agreed a fee for the 23-year-old emerged on the same day the Black Cats confirmed the departures of John O’Shea, Marc Wilson, Kazenga LuaLua and Billy Jones.

That quartet – which sees O’Shea join Reading on July 1 - have all been told they will not be getting new deals, enabling them to leave as free agents.

Sunderland’s retained list also confirmed that Fabio Borini will be joining AC Milan in a £4.75m deal and Jeremain Lens will sign for Besiktas on a permanent basis from July 1 in a £6m switch.

Sunderland have also allowed youngsters Tom Beadling, Jean-Yves Poame, Josh Robson, James Talbot and Daniel Wright to go, and there is sure to be more departures in the weeks ahead.

Ndong looks like being the next. Ross is more than happy for him to be sold and to have accepted a £6.6m bid from Torino has paved the way for his exit.

The Gabon international, who had been set to join Watford this summer before an unsuccessful loan failed to trigger a full-time switch, is now considering what to do.

It is understood there is still plenty of work to be done on personal terms, particularly because the midfielder is believed to prefer a move that will see him stay in the Premier League.

Cardiff City are thought to be one of those interested now that a move to Watford seems unlikely. He does not want to stay in Sunderland following back-to-back relegations.

The fall from the Premier League has meant change at the Stadium of Light and there are still plenty of players still on the pay-roll who could be sold this summer.

Wahbi Khazri, attracting interest from Turkey and Rennes where he spent last season, and Lamine Kone are two of those most keen to move on, while Paddy McNair has been the subject of a number of offers already.

John O’Shea was the first player confirmed to be leaving earlier this week when Reading announced they had signed him for next season.

Wilson, LuaLua and Jones will be next and their exits will help Ross with his recruitment.

O’Shea was the biggest departure, with the 37-year-old keen to extend his playing time after making 256 appearances for the club in his seven years on Wearside.

Ross said: “Whilst I didn’t work directly with John, everyone at the club speaks so highly of him, both as a player and a man. Coming from Manchester United, where he was schooled by Sir Alex, has clearly shaped him into the consummate professional, on and off the field. The positive influence he had on this football club will be long remembered.

“On behalf of everyone at Sunderland AFC, I wish John every success in whatever he chooses to do in the future and he will always remain a special part of the club.”