The latest transfer rumours from Sunderland ahead of deadline dayplaceholder image
The latest transfer rumours from Sunderland ahead of deadline day | Getty Images
The latest transfer rumours from Sunderland ahead of deadline day.
After a busy summer window which featured high-profile moves for the likes of Granit Xhaka, Habib Diarra, Simon Adingra and Brian Brobbey among others, Sunderland have experienced a very quiet January with young winger Jocelin Ta Bi being the club’s only first-team signing.
It’s perhaps a sign of just how satisfied owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and the rest of the hierarchy have been with the way Regis Le Bris and his team have fared in their first season back in the top flight since 2017, with survival in the Premier League looking remarkably like a formality at this stage thanks to the team’s imperious home form and their ability to pull off major scalps on a consistent basis.
However, as the window draws to a close there’s still whispers that there could be some late deals at the Stadium of Light. With that in mind, we take a look at the potential signings that could still be on the cards as fans hope for a grandstand finish - and perhaps even European qualification with it.
Sunderland compete with Ipswich Town to sign Paris FC winger
The Sunderland Echo understands that Regis Le Bris’ side have been considering a move for talented Paris FC winger Ilan Kebbal.
The 27-year-old Algerian international helped the capital side win promotion to the top-flight last season with five goals and seven assists, but has already beaten that tally in the top-flight with an impressive seven goals and four assists so far this term. For his part, Kebbal has been away at the African Cup of Nations in recent weeks, meaning he could even have had higher numbers had he not missed a significant section of the campaign.
Football Insider adds that Ipswich Town are readying a £10m move for the winger as well, meaning if Sunderland’s interest is concrete they may have to act quickly with an offer of their own. Paris FC have been exceptionally lively in the current window and their willingness to sell may well depend on their ability to bring players (Tottenham Hotspur winger Mathys Tel is among their notable targets) but there is at least some chance the deal gets done before deadline day and Kebbal ends up as a Black Cat.
Sunderland target Serie A defender as transfer deadline looms
Lecce defender Antonino Gallo could also be the subject of late Sunderland interest, according to Football Insider.
The outlet states that Celtic and the Black Cats are battling to sign the left-back, who has over 170 Leece appearances to his name. The 26-year-old has appeared in all 22 Serie A matches so far this term, starting 20 and appearing as a sub on two occasions.
According to the publication, the Black Cats could look to bring in Gallo as a replacement for the recently departed Arthur Masuaku, who joined RC Lens on loan this week, with Le Bris apparently keen to maintain his squad depth ahead of a hectic and potentially impactful second half of the season.
Continue Reading