Report: Sunderland A.F.C. to Sign Striker Mauro Zarate

Sunderland are attempting to sign Argentine striker Mauro Zarate on loan from the remainder of the EPL season (via the Sunday People).

Manager Martin O’Neill is looking to continue his January transfer window activity, having already brought in defender Kader Mangane on loan from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal and midfielder Alfred N’Diaye, who signed permanently from Bursaspor in Turkey.

Zarate, who plays in Serie A for Lazio, is the latest name to be linked with a move to the Stadium of Light, with the report suggesting the loan deal could be turned into a £5 million permanent deal at the end of the current EPL season.

The 25-year-old Argentine forward previously had a spell in the EPL when on loan at Birmingham in 2008. He scored four goals in 14 games while at Birmingham and has also played for Velez Sarsfield in Argentina, Al-Saad in Saudi Arabia and Inter Milan and Lazio in Italy.

Swansea City forward Danny Graham remains a transfer target and is close to agreeing to move back to his native northeast in a £4.5 million deal (via the Sunday Mirror). Norwich City have also tabled a bid for the 27-year-old striker.

The arrival of the two strikers could pave the way for England international Fraizer Campbell to leave the club, with the former Manchester United forward a target of high-flying Championship side Cardiff City (via BBC Sport).

Sunderland are also involved in a battle with Premier League rivals Fulham in the race to sign £2 million-rated defender John Stones from Championship Barnsley (via the Sunday People). The 18-year-old is also said to be wanted by Wigan Athletic.

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