Jermain Defoe says Sunderland are looking to put the summer transfer window behind them.

With no more distractions regarding the comings and goings of players, mixed with the incessant transfer rumours, Defoe says it is now time for the Black Cats to focus on matters more pressing when the English top flight returns after the international break next weekend.

"I think, obviously, its a distraction for the players being linked with other clubs," said Defoe to safc.com after his club signed eight new players.

"It's normal, when you're playing for a club and there's talk about you going elsewhere, and bids are coming in. It's unsettling. It's normal, and you've seen that throughout the window.

"For managers it must be a nightmare. You can imagine as a manager it must be horrible, not knowing if your players are going to stay or go.

"But now that the window's shut everyone can just relax and get on with their jobs."

Sunderland currently sit bottom of the Premier League table with two draws from four matches as they prepare for the visit of 16th-placed Tottenham on September 13.