BREAKING NEWS : Sunderland transfer target follows club on Instagram after £1.7m bid

However, Rusyn following Sunderland on the social media platform Instagram has caused speculation to break out amongst fans that a deal could be close.

Rusyn, who is a Ukrainian youth international, netted 13 goals in 30 games and also provided six assists in Ukrainian Premier League last season and scored for Zorya in their a1-1 draw against Rukh Liev earlier this season.

Zorya Londonsk also stated that other clubs are interested in signing the attacker during the summer transfer window but that Sunderland are the only team to have bid so far.

The Black Cats lost against Preston in the Championship on Saturday afternoon as their winless start to the season continues.

Lynden Gooch is attracting interest from one of Sunderland’s Championship rivals – and from the MLS, according to a report over the weekend. The versatile defender is one of three senior first-teamers – the others being centre-back Danny Batth and midfielder Alex Pritchard – who are in the final year of their contracts on Wearside and as yet there are no signs that their stays will be extended.

And according to journalist Alan Nixon, QPR are showing interest in 27-year-old Gooch, although there is also a chance the California-born USA international could end up making a move to the MLS. Gooch came through the academy ranks at Sunderland and is the club’s longest-serving player, amassing almost 250 appearances for the club in all competitions and scoring 25 goals.

He was involved as a substitute in the Black Cats’ first game of the season against Ipswich Town last weekend, but suffered a minor knock in that match which ruled him out of both the midweek Carabao Cup first round tie against Crewe Alexandra and yesterday;s Championship trip to Preston North End. Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray has said that Gooch is expected to be fit for Saturday’s home game against Rotherham United.