It is public knowledge that Sunderland need new players if they are to stand a chance of avoiding a second successive relegation. Chris Coleman has stated he needs several new players but with funds severely limited, Coleman will have to use the loan market and wheel and deal the best he can.
With the transfer window now at its halfway stage, Coleman has only managed to bring in one player on loan. Anyone who has seen Sunderland play this season will know that this is not enough. Coleman will have to work fast to get reinforcements into his underperforming and injury-hit squad. If he can’t, a losing battle seems to be lying in wait.
Sunderland January Transfer Update: The Story So Far
In: Confirmed and Potential
Jake Clarke-Salter – Done Deal
The highly rated Chelsea defender is the only signing at present. He made his debut during last weekends defeat at Cardiff City. It was no surprise that a defender was brought in first due to amount of poor goals being conceded. He can play in either central defence or at left back. This versatility could prove vital due to an ever growing injury list at Sunderland.
Clarke-Salter has won the FA Youth Cup several times while at Chelsea and more impressively he was part of the England Under 20 team that won the World Cup. The team became the nations first world champions since 1966. Speaking about the signing, manager Chris Coleman said:
Ben Woodburn
Liverpool’s Welsh winger is well known to Coleman after the youngster starred for Wales during his time as manager. Woodburn has long been on Coleman’s radar and was one of the first to be linked to the Black Cats as soon as he took charge. At present little seems to be happening as it is down to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp if he is allowed to leave. Philippe Coutinho’s departure may have slowed down this loan move as Klopp assess his forward options. Expect an outcome either way soon.
Even though there are wingers such as Aiden McGeady and Callum McManaman at the club, they have yet to be consistent. Therefore Sunderland desperately need some creativity going forward. The winger would be welcomed by Sunderland’s manager and their fans alike.
Jonathan Walters
Burnley’s Ireland international striker Walters has been heavily linked with a loan move over the last several days. Reports suggested over the weekend that a deal was close to being completed; however, as of yet, nothing has materialised. Since leaving Stoke last summer, Walters has struggled with injuries; however, if he is now match-fit and even though he is now 34 years old, he could prove to be an excellent signing, even if it is only until the end of the season.
The Black Cats are in desperate need of strikers, especially someone with the presence of Walters, and they could do a lot worse than a proven Premier League and international striker. If this deal does eventually come off, it could prove to be Coleman’s best piece of business.
Tom Bradshaw
Another Welsh international well-known to Coleman, as it was he who gave the striker his international debut. Due to being a striker and Welsh, he seems to fit what the Black Cats boss is after. However, even though Sunderland have been heavily linked to the player, so have other Championship clubs; clubs in a better position the Sunderland.
Another issue could be the fee involved. Barnsley are likely to ask for around £700,000, the price they paid for him eighteen months ago. Sunderland have very little in the way of disposable income and unless they can offload players for cash then this signing looks unlikely.
Ethan Ampadu
Chelsea’s young defender Ethan Ampadu was reported to be on his way to Wearside around the same time as Jake Clarke-Salter. However, as of yet, nothing has materialised. The former Exeter City youngster has impressed during his first season at Stamford Bridge, featuring several times for the first team. Reports suggest he is likely to play in Chelsea’s FA Cup replay. Therefore if there is any truth in the move happening it is unlikely to happen soon.
Ovie Ejaria
Once described as a young, English Paul Pogba, Liverpool’s Ovie Ejaria has been rumoured to be on his way to Sunderland to gain some much-needed game time. Tall and strong, he is the type of player the Black Cats require. If Sunderland could get both Ejaria and his teammate Woodburn then Coleman will have completed excellent business with the Reds.
The latest news coming out of Sunderland is that they are also monitoring the situation at Middlesbrough where their former Manchester United striker Ashley Fletcher could be allowed to leave.
Out: Confirmed and Potential
Lewis Grabban – Loan Terminated
Lewis Grabban signed on a season-long loan deal last summer and is currently the Black Cats leasing goalscorer with 12 goals. These goals had made other clubs take notice and with a recall option included in the deal, it was always likely that Bournemouth could recall him and sell him. However, with Sunderland in the Championship relegation places, Grabban decided he did not wish to play for the club anymore and therefore it was agreed that the loan would be terminated. Sunderland need players who will fight for the club to ensure its Championship status, sadly for Coleman and the fans, Grabban was not up to this fight.
James Vaughan – Sold to Wigan
Vaughan only arrived last summer for £500,000; however, the strikers time at the club was disappointing to say the least. He arrived having scored over 24 goals for struggling Bury last season. He could manage just two in 25 appearances this season, though. It is believed that Sunderland received £300,000 for the striker, a loss of £200,000 in half a season. A good League One player but maybe the Championship was a step too far.
Mika – Left by Mutual Consent
Signed in September 2016, the goalkeeper did not make a first-team appearance. He occasionally managed to get on the substitutes bench and also played for the Under 23 side. Due to the poor form of Jason Steele and Robin Ruiter, it was a surprise to some that Mika did not get a chance. The fact he didn’t could say a lot.
Didier Ndong
A loan move to Watford was rumoured but Coleman has ruled out any loan deals for first-team players. The midfielder has indicated that he wants to move on but he will only be allowed to leave on a permanent transfer. He was brought back into the side last weekend against Cardiff and was sent off early in the second half, something which will not impress potential buyers.
Jack Rodwell – Release Offered
One of the most disappointing signings by Sunderland for many years. The former England international was signed from Manchester City for £10 million in 2014. He was given a large contract worth a reported £70,000 per week. Unfortunately, Sunderland did not have the foresight to see that relegation could be a possibility over the course of his contract and did not insert a wage reduction clause should relegation happen.
Jack Rodwell’s time at the club has been a disaster at best. Fans had to wait almost three years to see the team win a game in which he started. This season he has featured little due to injury. This week the club offered to let him leave on a free; however, he still has 18 months to run on his contract. If he decides to accept the clubs offer then he would lose out on a lot of money. As yet no decision has been made by the player. The club and fans are hoping he decides to accept the offer and moves on quickly.
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