Sunderland boss Roy Keane is reportedly prepared to let Dickson Etuhu go if the price is right.

According to skysports.com, the Irish manager is willing to sacrifice the Nigerian midfielder in order to help finance his efforts to completely revamp the squad.

Rangers boss Walter Smith is believed to have already made tentative contact over the player, who made 20 appearances for the Black Cats last season.

Sunderland have enjoyed a busy week in the transfer market having already announced the signings of former Tottenham pair Teemu Tainio and Pascal Chimbonda as well as Cork City’s David Meyler and goalkeeper Nick Colgan.

The arrival of Tainio, especially, would make Etuhu’s departure easter to digest, so it would not be a surprise if the 20-year-old were plying his trade in Glasgow next season.

Ref From Derek Wanner, Goal.com

Roy Keane’s Sunderland have announced the capture of Finnish international Teemu Tainio from Tottenham Hotspur.

The defensive midfielder has signed a three year contract at the Stadium of Light with manager Roy Keane admitting that he has more signings in the pipeline.

“I’m delighted to sign a player of Teemu’s experience and quality,” Keane told the club’s official website.  “He’ll be a valuable addition to our squad.

“Teemu has showed versatility, playing in different midfield positions for both Tottenham and his previous club Auxerre.

“But his experience, in particular, and the fact he has played more than 40 international games shows he has a lot to offer Sunderland.”

Tainio signed for Tottenham from Auxerre in 2005 and made 83 appearances during his time at the North London club.

Pascal Chimbonda is also reportedly close to joining Sunderland, while Keane is also looking to bring in Steed Malbranque and Younes Kaboul before the start of the new season.

Ref From Mathew Burt - goal.com

Sunderland manager Roy Keane says the club have agreed with Spurs the transfers of a number of players from White Hart Lane, and are hopeful of announcing a multiple deal by the weekend.

Based on earlier media reports, the players in question are thought to be Teemu Tainio, Pascal Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque and Younes Kaboul, though the latter’s agent unflatteringly rejected out of hand a move by his client to Wearside.

Malbranque has so far made no comment, but both Tainio and Chimbonda have reacted positively to Sunderland’s interest.

Now Keane has said that negotiations with Spurs regarding “two or three, if not four” of the players are close to being finalised.

The Irishman told the Journal: “We have got an agreement with Spurs and a few of the players.

“We have virtually agreed personal terms with two or three of them, if not four. There are just a few loose ends to be tied up.

“I have been in the game long enough to know that these things can drag out a little bit, but in defence of [Sunderland‘s chief executive] Peter Walker and [chairman] Niall Quinn, from our point of view, it’s been full-steam ahead.

“I have spoken to Peter and progress has been made, but [given] the amount of players we are trying to sign from one club, there are going to be stumbling blocks.”

Keane is also targeting other players, adding: “We are in discussions regarding fees for one or two other players and that will be the case over the next two or three days.

“I would hope the Tottenham deals would be done by the weekend, and with the other couple of deals I think we might have to be patient, possibly next week.”

Ref From Mark Hinton, Goal.com