Michael Beale has set his sights on his first signing as Sunderland boss - and he used to play for Celtic.

The ex-Rangers manager is yet to make any signings since he became the head coach at The Stadium of Light.

The transfer window shuts this week, and the Black Cats have been linked with a host of players including Amad Diallo and Wales striker Kieffer Moore.

Sunderland defeated Stoke 3-1 yesterday to end a three-game winless streak. The results leave them outside of the play-offs on goal difference as they look to earn a shot at promotion to the Premier League.

While Beale deals with Alex Pritchard, who has refused to play again for the club, he is also looking at incomings.

The Scottish Sun reports that he is targeting a loan move for former Celtic youngster Leo Hjelde.

The 20-year-old joined Leeds United in the summer of 2021 from the Hoops.

He's turned out just once for the Lily Whites this campaign after spending the second half of last term at Rotherham.

READ MORE: APOEL transfer issue revealed over Rangers target Jefte

Meanwhile, APOEL president Prodromos Petrides revealed the transfer fee to land Rangers target Jefte is 'not prohibitive' after being thwarted from signing him themselves because of a FIFA embargo.

The Ibrox side appears to be closing in on a deal to land the Brazilian full-back who is on loan at the Cypriot club from Rio de Janeiro side Fluminense.

Rangers would have to deal with both clubs to sign the 20-year-old and APOEL wanted to turn the loan move into a permanent one this month.

But they were one of 11 Cypriot clubs hit with a transfer embargo from world football's governing body last month because of debts and are unable to sign players until they can prove their debts have been cleared.