Sam close to double deal

West Ham are set to complete deals for Sunderland pair Ahmed Elmohamady and George McCartney before the end of June.

Defender McCartney spent a spell on loan with the Hammers last term and Sam Allardyce has indicated that he would like to sign the Northern Ireland international on a permanent basis. It's understood an agreement was already in place for West Ham to seal a deal for the left-back should they, as they did, win promotion back to the Premier League. Meanwhile, Allardyce is also keen to sign Egyptian international Elmohamady, who appears set to leave the Stadium of Light having slipped down the pecking order under Martin O'Neill. Having impressed on an original loan spell on Wearside, ex-Black Cats boss Steve Bruce offered him a permanent three-year deal but didn't start a game under O'Neill. The Hammers are believed to be keen on a loan deal for the 24-year-old, but Sunderland remain hopeful that they might be able to agree on a permanent transfer.