Sunderland are working hard to conclude some final transfer business before the 7pm deadline
Sunderland's January transfer business is set to go down the wire as the club push to finalise a number of deals before the 7pm deadline.
The club have already confirmed two deals on transfer deadline day, with Leo Hjelde joining Sheffield United on loan for the rest of the campaign and Patrick Roberts completing a permanent move to Birmingham City. Sheffield United were keen to add more defensive cover having seen Sam McCallum suffer a potentially serious injury over the weekend, and Chris Wilder has spoken of his delight to add Hjelde's personality and cover at centre back, left back and on the left of a back three. Hjelde is fully fit after undergoing surgery on both achilles in the summer, but minutes on Wearside were always going to be limited given the strength in depth available to Régis Le Bris in defensive positions. Roberts, meanwhile, has moved to secure his future after an excellent first half of the campaign and Sunderland were never going to stand in the way of such a fine servant to the club.
Sunderland are far from done, though, and currently trying to conclude a complicated chain of transfers.
Schalke's surprise move for Adil Aouchiche holds the key, with the Bundesliga 2 side potentially freeing up one of Sunderland's six international loan slots with a swoop. If a deal can be concluded, he will be recalled from his loan at Aberdeen and leave on a permanent basis. That will in turn allow Sunderland to send Simon Adingra on an initial loan deal to Ligue 1 side Monaco. Sunderland will bank an initial seven-figure loan fee if the deal progresses, while Monaco will have the option to sign him permanently for around £15 million on the summer. After a tricky first half of the season on Wearside, it's seen as the best way to protect his value and recouping the vast majority of that initial investment would be seen as a good outcome if a permanent transfer happens in the summer.
It also clears the way for Sunderland to move for Anderlecht winger Nilson Angulo, a 22-year-old Ecuador international who the Black Cats feel is the best winger in the Belgian Pro League and a player of immense potential. Angulo can play off the right but is primarily a left winger, with strong 1-v-1 ability and a goal threat. Crucially, his defensive stats are some of the best posted by any winger both in Belgium and beyond. He's seen as a long-term signing, but one who can also have a fairly immediate impact.
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Though you can never say never, those three deals if concluded could well be the last of the window for Sunderland. Though it's been a positive month rebalancing the squad and finding clubs for those not in Le Bris's immediate plans, the club have still been looking to resolve the futures of Abdoullah Ba and Ian Poveda. As it stands they will see out the rest of the campaign on Wearside unless a solution can be found - their situation complicated by Sunderland being maxed out on their international loans as explained above. A permanent move or domestic loan remains an option in the coming hours, with Poveda generating some interest from the EFL today.
An injury in U21s action will also likely prevent Harrison Jones from securing an EFL loan move, which would have been the likely target at the start of the month. You can follow all the deadline-day latest on our dedicated live blog and remember - deals don't have to be announced before the 7pm deadline. Clubs can secure an extra two hours providing they have submitted a deal sheet to the Premier League before 7pm, and can be announced at any time during the evening.
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