Sunderland boss Peter Reid completed the £2.5million signing of Don Hutchison from Everton - and announced a staggering £10m double bid for Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour and Aston Villa defender Ugo Ehiogu.
It was a busy day for Reid, who also signed 21-year-old Belgian midfielder Tom Peeters from Mechelen for £250,000 and Austrian goalkeeper Jurgen Macho, 22, from FC Vienna.
Sunderland had talks with Arsenal four days ago to inform the Gunners of their interest in Parlour but Arsene Wenger is reluctant to part with the England man.
Reid, determined to build on last season's seventh-placed Premiership finish, has a reputation for being miserly with the club's money but he is not short of cash. He refused to elaborate on his transfer plans yesterday except to say: 'I'd imagine there will be more signings.'
Hutchison, clearly delighted with his move, said: 'I'm itching to play for Peter Reid's club. I heard of their interest on deadline day last season and I've had my fingers crossed since then.'
Coventry were also in the chase but Hutchison said: 'For the next four years I'm a Sunderland fan. End of story. It will be great to play behind Kevin Phillips. I hope to provide plenty of ammunition for him.
'I believe Sunderland can achieve some of the things Liverpool did in the 1980s and I want to be a part of it.'
Leicester City manager Peter Taylor is likely to lead the chase for Darren Williams after Sunderland's England B defender had a transfer request granted.
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