Sunderland weigh up two possible arrivals and multiple exits as deadline-day talks gather pace under Kristjaan Speakman
Sunderland are facing a busy final stretch of the January transfer window, with the club linked to two potential incoming deals and several possible departures ahead of Monday’s 7pm deadline.
The Black Cats are working to reshape their squad in the closing days of the window, with movement expected at both ends of the pitch as Régis Le Bris continues to balance short-term needs with longer-term planning.
One outgoing that could be resolved quickly is Adil Aouchiche. The 23-year-old, who is currently on loan at Aberdeen, is attracting serious interest from Schalke 04. The Bundesliga club are understood to be pushing hard to secure his signature before deadline day, with talks now at an advanced stage and the player keen on the move.
In the goalkeeping department, Sunderland are close to completing a deal for Swedish stopper Melker Ellborg, who is expected on Wearside this weekend to finalise a permanent transfer. The Black Cats are set to pay a fee in the region of £3million to sign the 22-year-old from Malmö FF.
Ellborg is expected to join Robin Roefs in the senior goalkeeping group and provide immediate depth, with Sunderland having monitored the market throughout January to ensure adequate cover. His arrival would likely pave the way for Anthony Patterson to leave on loan, with Millwall currently leading the race. The Championship side are managed by Alex Neil, with their league position and existing relationship with the player both seen as important factors.
While Ellborg is still early in his senior career, Sunderland believe he has shown strong potential since breaking into Malmö’s side over the past year, including experience in European competition. The club had previously held talks over Jonas Omlin, but the Borussia Mönchengladbach keeper instead joined Bayer Leverkusen after an injury elsewhere in their squad. Sunderland have since opted to prioritise a younger profile they can develop internally, viewing Ellborg as stylistically similar to Roefs.
Sunderland are also assessing options in wide areas before the window closes, with Bertrand Traoré currently sidelined by a knee injury. According to Sky Sports, the Black Cats are monitoring Tyrique George, who is expected to leave Chelsea before Monday’s deadline. The 19-year-old, who came close to joining Fulham in the summer, has made 11 senior appearances this season but is also attracting interest from Everton, who have submitted a loan offer following recent injury problems.
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Further outgoings are also possible, with Sunderland open to loan moves for fringe players who require more regular minutes. Speaking earlier this week, Le Bris struck a measured tone when discussing deadline-day business. “I won't comment on individual players, but the market is often the same. Many interest, many conversations, not many deals,” he said. “For us as a club and a team, we don't have to rush anything.
“We're happy with our squad. If we can reinforce our team, we'll try. We'll see what happens. It's possible we'll strengthen, but it's better for us to stay under the radar. The market is the market, and it's unpredictable, and often more active at the end. It's possible for one or two players to leave as well because they need more minutes. If it's possible, we'll do it.”
With several strands in play and decisions still to be made, Sunderland’s final hours of the window promise to be eventful as they look to fine-tune their squad before the deadline.
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