Sunderland close to deals for Sessegnon and Muntari

Steve Bruce's side hope to tie up a loan deal for Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari, while Obafemi Martins should tie up a move to Birmingham City on loan for the remainder of the season from Russian club Rubin Kazan.

Sunderland will attempt today to thrash out the details of their proposed swoops for the Benin international Stephane Sessegnon and Sulley Muntari ahead of Monday's transfer deadline.

The Black Cats were attempting to secure a work permit for Ghana international Muntari after agreeing terms with Inter Milan over a loan deal until the end of the season.

They still have to finalise personal terms with the former Portsmouth midfielder.

West Ham United are still in the market for another striker despite today completing the signing of Demba Ba, the Senegal international, from Hoffenheim. Ba, who failed a medical at Stoke City earlier this month, has agreed a deal until 2014 with the struggling Hammers after coming through extensive checks on a knee problem.

"We have brought in Demba Ba. We have Carlton Cole, Zavon Hines and Frederic Piquionne. We could possibly do with another one," Paul Groves, the Hammers coach, said.

Obafemi Martins, the Nigeria striker, is set to undergo a medical at Birmingham City today with a view to a six-month loan move from Russian club Rubin Kazan, according to the Press Association.

Chris Samba is on the brink of signing a new long-term contract at Blackburn Rovers, with Rovers manager Steve Kean claiming the deal will draw a line under the takeover turmoil.

The Congo defender said he wanted to leave Ewood Park following the sacking of Sam Allardyce in December and has been the subject of interest from several clubs, but has been persuaded to stay by Kean.

Mark Hughes has denied Fulham are hoping to recruit Tottenham Hotspur's Niko Kranjcar and admitted his move for Shaun Wright-Phillips "has slowed".