Sunderland poised to finalise Jeremain Lens transfer

Dutch international midfieler Jeremain Lens is set to join up with Dick Advocaat for the third time in his career if he passes a medical at English Premier League side Sunderland on Wednesday according to the Press Association.

The 27-year-old -- who played for Black Cats manager Advocaat at both AZ Alkmaar and PSV Eindhoven -- will cost Sunderland around £8million (11.3m euros, $12.5m) to prise him away from Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev.

Lens, who played for Suriname internationally before committing himself to the Netherlands national side and was able to switch as the tournament he played in was not under the auspices of global governing body FIFA, watched Dynamo lose to the other Ukrainian powerhouse Shakhtar Donetsk in the Super Cup on Tuesday before flying to England.

However, while Advocaat, who initially announced his retirement as a club manager after saving Sunderland from relegation last season before changing his mind, looks likely to welcome Lens another international, Belgian defender Nicolas Lombaerts, may not end up at Sunderland.

The 30-year-old -- who has been at Russian side Zenit St Petersburg for the past eight years including a spell under Advocaat -- is believed to have failed a medical and his proposed £5million move has stalled.

Advocaat, who along with his players are presently in the United States on a pre-season tour, has stiffened up his defence with Welsh international fullback Adam Matthews, who cost £2million from Scottish champions Celtic, and Uruguayan international defender Sebastien Coates in the close season.  
Source: AFP