Habib Diarra was the first, completing a move to Sunderland from Strasbourg to the tune of £35m. The Black Cats stole in and agreed to pay what Strasbourg wanted, with Leeds refusing to pay over the odds.

Then, Sunderland struck a deal for USG’s Noah Sadiki – another player on Leeds’ radar. Reinildo Mandava is another player Leeds have held talks for, but the former Atletico Madrid man is on his way to Wearside.

LeedsUnited.News understands that both Sunderland and Leeds have also held talks for Nantes forward Matthis Abline, who scored for France’s U21 side at this summer’s European Championships in Slovakia.

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Sunderland eyeing £8m England international on Leeds’ radar

Now, the two sides are doing battle for new goalkeepers. Djordje Petrovic and Lucas Perri have been on Leeds’ list for much of the summer, but The Guardian say that both clubs are eyeing both goalkeepers.

Indeed, it is said that one will get one, and the other will get the other. Whether that happens remains to be seen, especially after The Sun’s Alan Nixon says Sunderland want another goalkeeper on Leeds’ list.

The transfer expert says Sunderland are eyeing a move for Wolves’ Sam Johnstone. Johnstone has been linked with Leeds, with a fee of £8m required to tempt Wolves into a sale of Johnstone after just a year.

Sunderland and Leeds likely to continue fighting for players

Diarra, Mandava, Sadiki, Perri, Petrovic, Abline, Johnstone and even Marcin Bulka, the Polish goalkeeper who has opted to swap Nice for Neom with the newly-promoted Saudi Arabian side making moves.