Sunderland vs Newcastle United preview with James Copley, Dom Scurr and Rich Mennear
Sunderland are expected to be active during the January transfer window as they look to build on a positive first half of the Premier League season.
After a remarkable first half of their first season back in the top flight, the Black Cats head into the Stadium of Light meeting sitting one point above Eddie Howe’s side and there is a confidence around Wearside ahead of the latest instalment of one of English football’s oldest rivalries. Depending on results elsewhere across the weekend, Sunderland could actually move into the top five of the Premier League table with a fourth consecutive home win against Newcastle and that would just add another memorable moment provided by an increasingly exciting season.
There can be no doubt the Black Cats have benefitted from a highly ambitious summer transfer window as the Stadium of Light hierarchy looked to build on the momentum gained by the dramatic Championship play-off final win against Sheffield United. The club’s transfer record was broken within days of that Wembley triumph as Enzo Le Fee became a permanent member of Regis Le Bris’ squad before a new high was set when Sunderland won the race for Strasbourg’s highly-rated midfielder Habib Diarra.
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Further eye-catching additions were secured, with arguably the most high-profile coming when the Black Cats tempted former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka back to the Premier League. But what could lie ahead when the January transfer window opens for business and who could arrive at the Stadium of Light ahead of the second half of the season. We utilise the services of AI tool Grok3 to see what business they predict the Black Cats will conduct in the first month of the new year.
Who are Sunderland predicted to sign during the January transfer window?
Newcastle United target Hugo Ekitike (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Newcastle United target Hugo Ekitike (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
Melvin Bard - Nice (£8m-£10m)
Grok3: “Versatile French full-back (24) with expiring contract (June 2026); ideal for depth and attacking output.”
Joshua Zirkzee - Manchester United (loan)
Grok3: “Dutch forward struggling for minutes at United; adds proven Serie A goal threat (11 goals in 2023-24) to complement Brian Brobbey.”
Charlie Cresswell - Toulouse (£8m-10m)
Grok3: “English defender to reinforce backline; TransferFeed rumors position him as a homegrown option.”
Fermin Lopez - Barcelona (£50m-£60m)
Grok3: “Spanish midfielder with €80m bid rumored; high-upside playmaker to elevate midfield alongside Xhaka. Fichajes reports link it to Sunderland's French success, though Barcelona's reluctance makes it a long shot.”
Who is predicted to leave Sunderland during the January transfer window?
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Dan Neil - Roma (£20m)
Grok3: “Academy product with 100+ apps; exit seems logical amid midfield depth from Xhaka/Sadiki. Sunderland Echo reports Italian interest; contract to 2026 prompts cash-in.”
Anthony Patterson - loan to Southampton
Grok3: “Lost starting spot to Roefs (25 apps, 12 clean sheets); links to Championship loans for minutes. £10m+ valuation if permanent.”
Luke O’Nien - £5m to Middlesbrough
Grok3: “Versatile leader but displaced by Mukiele/Alderete. Good for squad rotation.”
Jay Matete - loan to League One club
Grok3: “Limited minutes, 2026 free agent—loan to prevent further stalled progress.”
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