Sunderland were expected to announce the signing of Zenit centre back Nicolas Lombaerts early this week, but news from Russia indicates that the deal may have stalled. The St. Petersburg side were rumoured to be announcing Lombaerts' departure following their Russian Super Cup triumph last Sunday, but have allegedly stalled negotiations in order to add further clauses to the deal. A £5,000,000 deal initially looked to have been enough to secure the defender's arrival, but Zenit may be trying to make more out of the transfer through a series of add-on clauses. Despite this, Sunderland still look likely to secure the services of the 30 year old, who will join fellow newcomer Adam Matthews and last season's loanee Sebastian Coates should an agreement be reached. The Belgian has accrued 35 international caps over the course of his career, and would bring a welcome combination of experience and (relative) youth to an ageing Sunderland back line. Although hardly a young defensive prodigy, he's certainly a fresher face than the current old guard of John O'Shea and Wes Brown. In other news, highly-rated Dynamo Kyiv forward Jeremain Lens looks set to join the Black Cats after being granted permission to undergo a medical, while Everton winger Aiden McGeady has also been linked to the club. However, should the former deal go through (for a reported £9,000,000), the latter will surely be rendered a pointless pursuit.
