Sunderland have now set their sights on signing a Serie A defender, who could become their own version of Patrick Dorgu, according to reports.
Sunderland plot move to sign Serie A defender
It's been a quiet month in Wearside, especially compared to the summer. Those at the Stadium of Light have been content to hold what they have, and who could blame them? Aside from a shock thrashing at the hands of West Ham United last weekend, Sunderland have simply been superb since returning to the Premier League.
Regis Le Bris has taken his summer backing, in what saw Sunderland break their transfer record, and turned it into a side who may yet push into the European places before the end of the season.
Sunderland's most expensive signings of all time
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
There is also still time left in the January transfer window for the Black Cats to welcome further additions. They've already swooped in once this month to sign Jocelin Ta Bi ahead of Celtic and could yet add to the winger in a late winter move.
To that end, names such as Brahim Diaz have threatened to steal the headlines in Wearside as of late. The Real Madrid man, who is still heartbroken from his failed Panenka attempt in the AFCON final for Morocco, could be on his way back to the Premier League for the first time since leaving Manchester City.
Sunderland's Bertrand Traore, Daniel Ballard, Nordi Mukiele and Granit Xhaka celebrate their first goal, an own goal scored by Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade Related
Talks opened with Sunderland star as club eye ambitious quadruple deal
They want to make a 'clean sweep' of the Premier League.
Meanwhile, the Black Cats could get one over on Celtic once again. According to Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, Sunderland are plotting a move to sign Antonino Gallo, who has also attracted the interest of the Scottish giants ahead of Monday's deadline.
Gallo set to follow Dorgu path
On paper, Gallo is someone who could provide fullback cover and replace Arthur Masuaku, who's completed a loan move to Ligue 1 side Lens. In reality, he could be so much more.
The Lecce left-back can also play left-midfield, exactly like Manchester United's Dorgu, who followed the same path from Lecce to the Premier League.
The Old Trafford ace has recently thrived on the wing, scoring against both Manchester City and Arsenal before suffering an ill-timed injury. He has been the most shocking revelation of Michael Carrick's interim reign so far.
Now, just when Dorgu is finding his feet, another versatile fullback from Lecce could burst onto the scene in the Premier League in the form of Gallo.
antonino-gallo-lecce
The Italian offers the same ability to push into midfield and is more than capable of providing depth to Le Bris' squad if he is unable to break beyond Reinildo at left-back or Romaine Mundle going forward.
Whether Sunderland decide to push ahead of Celtic remains to be seen, however, as the transfer window nears deadline day.