SUNDERLAND has pledged to smash its transfer record to bring in anyone, anyone at all.

While other Premier League teams have spent heavily on new signings, Sunderland face being left behind unless they can persuade a player, any player, to sign for them.

Club chief executive Martin Bain said: “We’re close to finalising a hugely exciting £30 million transfer that will show we’re a team to be taken seriously. All we need is a player.

“If anyone out there wants to play for Sunderland, give us a ring and ask for Martin. We can give you a hundred grand a week and a personal chef.

“Just get in touch. Please.”

Wolfsburg forward Bas Dost said: “My agent told me a Premier League club were very interested in me. I asked which Premier League club, and he squirmed a bit and said it was one of the ones that has red in its strip.

“Eventually he admitted it was Sunderland, and that playing for Sunderland would involve me living in or near Sunderland. Plus, I may have to do whatever Sam Allardyce told me to and I don’t think I’d be comfortable with that.”