Sunderland made a startling intervention in the transfer market last night, agreeing to sign four players from Tottenham Hotspur for a combined fee of £23 million.

Younès Kaboul, Steed Malbranque, Teemu Tainio and Pascal Chimbonda left Spurs’ training camp in Spain yesterday and are expected on Wearside today to discuss personal terms. Should the deal go through, it will represent an unprecedented transfer of resources between Barclays Premier League clubs.

While Tottenham will be relieved to have recouped a hefty chunk of the £82 million they have spent in the past year, Roy Keane will claim that his intention to inject proven quality into his first-team squad has been partially fulfilled. Sunderland may have paid a premium for experience, but the manager has regularly spoken of the difficulty in attracting players to the North East.

Keane and his players are due to travel to Portugal today for friendly matches against Sporting Lisbon and Vitória Setúbal, but the Irishman is expected to meet his quartet of new signings. “I’ve not managed to get an opportunity to speak to a player and that’s all I ask of Niall Quinn \ and Peter Walker \,” he said yesterday. “Get me the opportunity to speak to them so we can make a deal happen.”

While the deal will not go through before those discussions — and medical examinations — have taken place, the fact that the Tottenham four have returned to England is regarded as an extremely positive development at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland have also been negotiating with Spurs about signing Darren Bent, the striker, but have not come close to settling upon a fee.

Keane’s wish to demonstrate Sunderland’s ambition has already been fulfilled, however. “This is a big summer,” Keane said. “The club needs to make a statement, very much so. I do know Niall and Peter are working extremely hard, but it’s all well and good saying we’re nearly there. The real deal-makers get over the line. I want to change the history of the club.”

Sunderland’s defence would be bolstered by the signings of Kaboul, 22, and Chimbonda, 29, while Tainio, 28, offers versatility across the pitch and Malbranque, 28, would bring craft to the midfield, where Keane yesterday also removed Liam Miller and Ross Wallace from the Sunderland transfer list. Keane has also confirmed that Kenwyne Jones will be absent for at least two months with a knee ligament injury. Buying at least one striker remains a priority.

For Tottenham, the departures are set to continue. Juande Ramos has admitted that the London club must balance the books after their heavy spending and Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov, the forwards, are still expected to leave, with Liverpool and Manchester United the likely respective destinations.

“We are a business that has to be accountable at the end of the financial year,” the head coach said. “The idea is to sign young players with potential and quality and if there are substantial offers for older players, we will see what is most suitable.”

Wigan Athletic’s £9 million bid for Andrew Johnson has been turned down by Everton. The forward, who would prefer a move to London, has attracted attention from Sunderland and Fulham. Andreas Granqvist, the defender, has left Wigan for Groningen. Middlesbrough have had an inquiry from Wigan for Lee Cattermole, who is valued at £4 million.

Stoke City are close to reaching an agreement with Reading to sign Dave Kitson, the forward, for about £4 million. The 28-year-old scored ten goals last season. Portsmouth say they have turned down a £12 million offer from AS Monaco for Niko Kranjcar, the Croatia midfield player.

Norwich City are close to signing Dejan Stefanovic, the defender, who can leave Fulham a year after he joined from Portsmouth. The Coca-Cola Championship club have had a £1 million bid for Andy Carroll, the 19-year-old forward, turned down by Newcastle United.

West Ham United are close to signing Balint Bajner, a 17-year-old forward, from Liberty Arad, of Romania, after a trial last season.