Handy Williams

The Sunderland defender was linked with a switch to Birmingham City last season and that speculation has resurfaced this summer following the Blues' promotion to the Premiership.

And it is now thought Wolves are also interested in the 25-year-old, with number two at Molineux, John Ward, being Williams' former boss at Bootham Crescent prior to the defender's £50,000 switch in 1996.

It is expected Williams would fetch between £2million and £2.5 million and, as York's sell-on clause amounts to ten per cent off any fee above £50,000, any such move would boost City's coffers by up to £250,000.

Sunderland boss Peter Reid has never said Williams is for sale and it is thought his versatility is important to the Black Cats' set-up. Indeed, all approaches last season - Birmingham are believed to have offered about £1.75 million, while Crystal Palace, then managed by current Blues boss Steve Bruce, were also rumoured to be interested - were knocked back.

However, Reid has bought centre-back Phil Babb this summer and is also wanting to sign a right-sided defender, with Leeds' Gary Kelly and Wimbledon's Kenny Cunningham, who both played for the Republic of Ireland at the World Cup, being known targets.

This could put Williams, who made 23 first-team starts last term, down the pecking order at the Stadium of Light and, as Reid also wants to raise cash for an expensive striker, he could effectively be on the market.

However, it is unlikley that City will be able to cash in on a move involving Grimsby Town's Alan Pouton just yet.

Various reports have linked Pouton with a move to Sunderland in a deal which could net the Minstermen £225,000 as part of a sell-on clause agreed when he left City for Blundell Park in 1999.

Those rumours, however, have been rubbished by the Mariners.

It had been reported that a cash plus player deal - involving Sunderland's John Oster moving the other way - was on the cards.

As part of the sell-on clause, City would have banked 15 per cent of the sale, and as Pouton was being rated in the £1.5 million bracket, it would have totalled £225,000.

Pouton, who has played more than 100 games for the Mariners, may yet move on, but Grimsby have denied a switch was on the cards.

A spokesman said: "As far as we're concerned it's pure speculation. There's been no official word from Sunderland.

"Alan has been a revelation since he joined from York and last season was a major factor why we stayed up in Division One.

"Clubs like Grimsby are always prepared to listen to the right offer but we do not want to sell him. (Manager) Paul Groves wants to keep people such as Alan Pouton at Grimsby."

Updated: 11:59 Friday, June 28, 2002