What happpened to Dan Ballard's Burnley transfer as Arsenal man poised for Sunderland move

Defender Dan Ballard is expected to have a move to Sunderland away from Arsenal confirmed this week and sign for Burnley's Championship rivals despite interest.

The Clarets are gearing up for their first season back in the second tier of English football for the first time since 2015. Vincent Kompany has become the club's new boss recently.

The new man in the Turf Moor dugout has wasted little time in bringing in reinforcements ahead of the new campaign. Scott Twine has been brought in from MK Dons and yesterday, the capture of Luke McNally from Oxford United was confirmed.

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Ballard had attracted interest from the Clarets as reinforcements at the back are needed. The Turf Moor side has lost the services of both James Tarkowski and Ben Mee this summer.

However, it appears now that Ballard will not be heading to Turf Moor, but instead joining the club's Championship rivals Sunderland. Alex Neil's side are back in the division after winning the League One play-off final.

The Northern Echo reports that Ballard has been on Wearside today for his medical with the Black Cats. A transfer on a four-year deal could be finalised before the end of this week.

understands Ballard was wanted by Burnley and the Clarets had an offer accepted by Arsenal. But the player and club failed to agree terms and the move broke down.

Discussions between the two camps were amicable and Burnley have since moved on. They have secured the signing of McNally with CJ Egan-Riley and Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Manchester City set to follow him through the door.

And Ballard, who had a host of clubs interested including Blackpool with more making