Report: Sunderland reach Emanuele Giaccherini agreement

Sunderland are apparently close to finalising the £8.6m transfer of 27-year-old Juventus midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini.

Manager Paolo Di Canio is making vast changes to the Black Cats squad that just managed to survive in the Premier League last season, and has already recruited eight players this summer.

According to Sky Sports News, the 5'4" playmaker will fly into England this week to undergo a medical and put pen to paper on a four-year contract.

Giaccherini made 44 appearances for the Old Lady over a two-year spell, the first half of which was spent on loan from Juve's Serie A rivals Cesena.

He has been capped 14 times by the Italian national side since debuting in 2012, scoring twice.