Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson has revealed via the Sunderland Echo that the club have had offers for midfielder George Dobson. The out-of-favour midfielder could be on his way out of the Stadium of Light having seen his playing time limited. The Black Cats also welcomed another midfielder in Carl Winchester who signed on Sunday which could see Dobson fall further down the pecking order.
According to reports by Mark Donnelly of the Sunderland Echo and Adam Stenning of the Argus, Brighton and Hove Albion left-back Alex Cochrane is a target for the League One promotion chasers. Lee Johnson has been dealt the blow that Denver Hume could be missing for two months, therefore, a new left-back could now become a priority.
Sunderland Transfer News: Midfielder Could Leave and Left-Back Linked
Offers Made for George Dobson
Lee Johnson has revealed that the club has received offers for midfielder George Dobson. The 23-year-old has struggled for minutes under head coach Johnson and is open to moving in order to get game time. However, at present, none of the offers that have been made appears to have appealed.
Speaking about the situation, Johnson said: “We have had conversations with George. We’ve just left it quite open, really.
“It’s not a case of ‘we don’t want you’. But it’s one where if he did feel he might want a move, which he did initially, he was one of the first to knock on my door and say he’s not happy when he’s not playing, then obviously your agent has to do his work and you look at anything that then comes.
“There have been offers come in, but they’re not ones that he has wanted to do at this moment in time. That’s OK with us, and we’ll see how the rest of the window pans out.
“Like I’ve said, it feels as if things are changing by the hour for everyone. It doesn’t mean that George couldn’t get games regularly here, but at the moment he’s got a couple ahead of him in the pecking order.
“Until he gets a chance to prove himself, or goes out on loan or whatever that maybe, then of course he’s got continue to train well, as he has done, and stay focused.”
Brighton Left-Back Linked
Sunderland were dealt a blow this week when it emerged that left-back Denver Hume could be missing until at least March with a hamstring tear. Callum McFadzean has filled in while Hume has been out, but Johnson will want a back-up in case something happens to McFadzean.
Brighton’s young left-back Alex Cochrane has been linked with a move to the Stadium of Light to provide back-up and competition for McFadzean in Hume’s absence.
The 20-year-old is currently on loan at Belgium second division side Union St Gilloise. However, the Seagulls have a recall clause and could activate this should they feel a spell in League One would be more beneficial.
Lee Johnson spoke of his desire to strengthen the left-back position: He said: “I think we have to consider (signing a left-back), absolutely. We have a good left-back (McFadzean) and a couple who can play there, but there are so many games, so it has to be a consideration for us.
“Either that, or we have to find one from within our ranks, and I can’t see one there at the moment.”
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