Leicester City are set to boost their strike-force 48 hours before the big kick-off.
Sunderland's Martyn Waghorn is expected to move to the Walkers Stadium on a season-long loan.
He could feature in the squad for the Championship opener against Swansea on Saturday.
A City spokesman said it was "pure speculation", but Black Cats boss Steve Bruce confirmed he was loaning out three of his young players, including Waghorn.
Speaking about the trio, which also includes Jack Colback and Jean-Yves M'votoin, Bruce said: "The lads have been in reserve football for 18 months and need to make that step up to the senior level.
They are excellent young players who have big futures. This is the next step for them and I am sure they will do well for the clubs they are joining.
"I want to see them come back that little bit more experienced and showing the benefits."
Waghorn was also linked with a move to League One side Carlisle, whose boss Greg Abbot was unimpressed at the striker's move to City.
Abbot said: "I am massively disappointed. It was a target we have been keeping warm all summer but now he is going to a Championship club.
"He was almost apologetic when he said he had to take the opportunity to play in a higher division than ourselves."
Waghorn, 19, has been with Sunderland since the age of eight. He made his senior debut against Manchester United in December 2007.
Since then, his first-team chances have been limited. He started only one further match in 2007-08 and played just once for Sunderland last season before being loaned to Charlton.
At The Valley, he made four starts, going off the bench three times and scoring one goal, in a 2-2 draw with Derby.
City boss Nigel Pearson has been looking to strengthen his strike-force over the summer.
Matty Fryatt and Steve Howard remain his two main marksmen but Waghorn should provide competition.
Crewe have taken City midfielder Aman Verma on trial with a view to signing him on loan, according to Sky Sports.